WE HELP PEOPLE LIKE YOU, PEOPLE LIKE MIKE

Mike worked as Assistant Manager for the same Nottingham Builders Merchants for over twenty years until he finally left.

What happened?
Mike’s daughter suffers from Cerebal Palsy and had been receiving treatment at a world-renowned clinic in Hungary. Mike’s daughter had sufficient mobility to take part in disabled sport to an international standard and she was also able to go to university, with the aid of a carer, and other assistance with her disability. However, following an accident at university when she was run over by her own electric wheelchair, she suffered a severe back injury, had to give up university and now has to rely on her family to care for her. Mike gave up his job to look after his daughter, and although his wife was disabled, she was also a full time carer for their daughter. Mike was eventually able to return to work part-time until he was diagnosed with cancer and had to leave work again. Mike recovered from cancer temporarily only for it to return again after a brief respite. Tragically Mike’s wife passed away, which meant that he must now care for his daughter alone. Before the accident Mike’s daughter was able to get around with the aid of a wheelchair and sticks, but she is now unable to walk or stand and has to use a specialist chair in which she almost has to lie down. Mike originally approached us to ask for assistance in decorating costs as he needed to widen four doorways in his house, and fit two ceiling track hoists, which would enable his daughter to become more independent at home. This meant that every room in the house would need decorating as a result.

How we helped
The Rainy Day Trust made a contribution towards the decorating costs and Mike also receives an annual award from us. This helped to alleviate the financial problems, which resulted from having to give up work.

WE HELP PEOPLE LIKE YOU, PEOPLE LIKE NICOLA

Young mum Nicola, had risen to become Head of Housewares for a West Country retailer. With a responsible job, loving partner and growing family, Nicola had everything going for her.

What happened?
Then, whilst still in her early 40’s, her life changed dramatically. Nicola was diagnosed as suffering from ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporosis, which means that she is now in constant pain and severely restricted as to what she can do and where she can go. When her pain is particularly acute, she cannot even dress without assistance. When Nicola’s case was a brought to our attention her daughter and son were ten years old and 13 months old, respectively, and both needed a carer when Nicola’s condition rendered her incapable of looking after them herself. At such times the carer stayed overnight, but with only two bedrooms, the carer had to sleep on the sofa.

How we helped
The Rainy Day Trust contributed toward the costs of building an extension for the carer, Nicola continues to receive quarterly subsistence from us and we help toward other mobility needs as they become necessary.

In Nicola’s own words
“Never underestimate how much we appreciate the assistance we receive from the Trust. There are times when I can feel so ill, and my morale drops so low, that I am overwhelmed with the generosity we receive, helping us to pay our bills. When Christmas comes and the Trust’s food hamper arrives with things we wouldn’t normally be able to afford, words cannot express our appreciation.”

WE HELP PEOPLE LIKE YOU, PEOPLE LIKE DON

Ask any retailer who ran a Hardware, Housewares, DIY or Builders Merchant in Southern England throughout the 60s – 80s and the name Daniel O’Sullivan, commonly known as Don, would spring to mind. Don was regarded as a popular and well mannered ‘gentleman of the road’ having started calling on independent hardware and housewares shops in 1959, as a salesman for S.Leboff (Fobel) Ltd.

What happened?
After 21 years with Leboff, he left to pursue a career in cabinet making in the South Pacific, but due to what appeared to be failing eyesight, he was forced to return to the UK. Here he worked again as a salesman, still calling on hardware stores and merchants. However, his eyesight problem worsened, which left him increasingly unable to call on customers, ultimately resulting in a nervous breakdown. Despite these problems, he tried again to re-start a furniture making/restoring business, but as his eye condition worsened still further and he was forced to close the company. The eye condition was not bad just eyesight. It was diagnosed as Dystonia-Blepherospasm with symptoms comprising of unexpected muscle spasms, forcing the eyelids to extend over the actual eyes. Don has undergone plastic surgery, but this has only addressed the problem of the eyelids, having no effect on the debilitating muscle spasms. He is left in constant pain, and receives botox treatment every three months, which entails 12 injections around the eyes in order to help keep them under control.

How we helped
With a partner who has an ailing mother needing two visits a day, Don could not find the money to service the family car. He approached the Citizen’s Advice Bureau who not only recognised his medical condition but, with so many qualifying years in the trade, put Don in touch with the Rainy Day Trust. We paid for his car repairs and arranged an annual award to help alleviate his resulting financial problems.

In Don’s own words
‘The Rainy Day Trust has been so good to me. I tried to get on (financially) without any help, but you are such lovely people and I can’t believe the care you have shown me.’