A BRICKFIELDS mum who fought tirelessly to ensure her son got the best possible care following his horrific brain injury has been shortlisted for a national award.
Janie Ferrier will be recognised as one of just three people from across the UK in the running for the title of Carer of the Year at the awards organised by Headway.
Her son Nick was 22 when he sustained a traumatic brain injury after crashing into a brick wall on his quad bike.
The accident left him unable to speak, walk, move or feed himself. He is completely dependent on his mum.
Devoted Janie took time off work to be by his bedside at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital then reduced her hours on her return to ensure she could still visit Nick in Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital before becoming his full-time carer
After initially being told Nick would have no quality of life, Janie was heartened when Nick was eventually moved to a care home after two years in hospital.
But her joy soon faded after the home Nick was placed in was not geared-up for a young disabled man.
The proud mum launched her Help Get Nick Home campaign to make sure her house was adapted to meet his needs and enable him to live with her.
And five years after his accident, Nick now lives at home in a place which enables him to live a better standard of life.
“It has been heart-breaking to see what has happened to Nick and to have had to be his voice throughout this ordeal,” she said.
The 44-year-old said she was shocked to discover she had been nominated for the award by Mandie Fitzgerald, fundraising and marketing manager for Headway Worcstershire.
“Janie will never give up her fight for Nick and she is rightly very proud of her boy and how well he has come on since the horrific crash,” Mandie said.
“She is one of our unsung heroes with the fight of a lioness.
“I’m thrilled she has been nominated and will spend a special day with everyone at the event in London.”
Janie will discover if she is successful at the Headway annual awards in Mayfair, London on December 6.
