Brenda O’Connell-Barry from Charleville, Cork has been announced as the Carer of the Year.
She cares for her 4 year old son Fionn who suffers from NACC1.
Fionn is the only known boy in Europe with a rare genetic condition called NACC1.
It is a condition which means he requires 24 hour care and suffers from cerebral agitation and can scream for days with pain.
Congratulations to Cork's Brenda O'Connell Barry who is the overall winner of the @CarePlusIreland Carer of the Year Awards 2018!!
Brenda cares for her son Fionn who has very complex medical needs and a life limiting illness. pic.twitter.com/cSQs16pPXH
— FamilyCarersIreland (@CarersIreland) 23 November 2018
Congratulations to our five CarePlus Young Carers of the Year 2018!!
Well done to Sean Ryan (Leinster), Harry & Molly Flynn (Munster), Alanna Connolly (Connacht/Ulster) and Shauna Tighe (Dublin)!! pic.twitter.com/c18VV91N5b
— FamilyCarersIreland (@CarersIreland) 23 November 2018
Family Carers Ireland says today is about recognising and putting a value on the work the 350,000 carers nationwide do every day in their own home.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement, said: "These awards serve to highlight the work of Ireland’s hidden army and give them the recognition they deserve, particularly the five young carers who received awards today.
