A MUM was able to spend her final moments with her mum thanks to a support service that looked after her son.

Louise Fiddler is the full-time carer for her son Joseph, who was diagnosed with autism and epilepsy at the age of four, but help from Community Life Choices (CLC) meant she was able to care for her dying mum Monica Doughty.

Shortly before Louise contacted CLC, her mum had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and despite it being a week before Christmas, the team worked quickly to implement a care plan and the necessary support within just a few days.

Louise, aged 46, said: “Within just two days of us working with CLC, we were introduced to Joseph’s new personal assistant, Carly, who has proven invaluable in the support she provides us with.

“The first session Carly spent with Joseph gave me the opportunity to see my mum and spend those precious final hours with her before she sadly passed away in December 2014.

“It was such an emotionally draining time for the whole family and I’m forever grateful that CLC was able to work fast and grant me those final moments with my mum.”

Now aged 12, Joseph, who attends Green Lane Special School, is unable to speak and his complex care needs mean consistency and reliability is essential.

“The care and assistance that they provide has been life-changing,” said Louise, of Lytham Close, Great Sankey.

“Carly cares for Joseph for six hours every Saturday to give me the break I need. Most people don’t realise that being a carer means that you’re on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This regular respite support helps me to plan my activities without any worry of being let down and having Joseph’s confidence knocked all over again.

“It also allows me to spend more time with the rest of my family, such as watching my other son play football, which has significantly increased the quality of life for all of us.”

CLC offers advice and support to adults and children in need of personalised health and social care services and was recently appointed by Warrington Borough Council as an accredited provider of support services to disabled children, young people and their families.

For more information contact info@communitylifechoices.co.uk or 01772 804088.