Second mums who make life more bearable (From The Bolton News)

Second mums who make life more bearable

11:40am Thursday 28th January 2010

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TO Thomas Partington, they are his second mums.

The 21-year-old suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition which progressively weakens the muscles, and needs 24-hour support.

For years his mum, Anne, supported by his dad, John, and older brother, James, aged 24, looked after him.

But when it started to become too much, the family turned to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The charity provides free home nursing care and the family say getting help was the best thing they could have done.

Nurses now visit their home in Westhoughton twice a week to care for Thomas overnight, allowing Mrs Partington to get some sleep.

Thomas, who is wheelchair-bound and has breathing and eating problems, said: “I was a bit worried at first but it’s been OK.

“Now I call them a different mum, they’re like a second mum to me. I find them friendly and easy to get on with and I don’t worry about them helping me.”

Mrs Partington, aged 52, said: “I was struggling because I wasn’t getting enough sleep, I was getting up multiple times in the night.

“I wasn’t sure about the nurses but they are not like strangers, they’re so nice and a great help. I am getting the sleep now, it makes a tremendous amount of difference and I feel alive again.”

Thomas was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of five. His family, who live in Hazeldene, do not know what the future holds and take one day at a time. The Marie Curie Nurses launched an appeal last year, backed by The Bolton News, and aim to raise £200,000 so more nursing hours are available to Bolton patients.

The Partington family are urging people to support the appeal.

Mrs Partington, who does clerical work from home as well as caring for Thomas, said: “People need to know this help is available. We definitely need more nurses, they are wonderful, so give fundraising a try.”

To get involved in the appeal visit theboltonnews.co.uk/mariecurie or contact Hannah Taylor on 0161 255 2809.

cherry.thomas@thebolton news.co.uk

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