Paula's Story

My daughter Grace is twenty-six and has cerebral palsy. She is funny, stubborn, and the best company you could ask for. She also needs support with every aspect of daily life — eating, moving, communicating. I have been her primary carer since she was born, and I would not trade a single day.

What I would trade is the battle with services. The constant fight for funding, the equipment that takes months to arrive, the reviews where you have to prove, again, that your daughter still has cerebral palsy. After twenty-six years, you would think the system would know.

Carers in Luton has been a constant through it all. They have helped me at every transition — from paediatric to adult services, from school to day centre, from one funding crisis to the next. The consistency of their support means more than any single piece of advice.