Your Champions 2011: Parents of young girl with rare syndrome nominated

Sep 8 2011 by Katie Bamber, Chester Chronicle

NATALIE and Peter McKeown balance part time jobs with caring for their young daughter – and still find time to support the local hospice that makes such a difference to their lives.

And now the couple’s dedication and determination has earned them a nomination in the Team category of this year’s Trinity Mirror/Scottish Power Your Champions awards.

Natalie and Peter, of Upton, are parents to 11-year-old Cara, who was diagnosed with Rett syndrome at the age of two.

The rare disorder means Cara has frequent seizures and cannot walk, talk or feed herself.

“She started to show some classic signs of Rett’s, so we half knew it was coming. But it was soul destroying when we read about the prognosis,” said Natalie.

“But you just have to say that’s what we’ve been dealt. We just do it. We’ve got no option.”

Natalie juggles caring for Cara with working as a dietician at Countess of Chester Hospital, while Peter is a self-employed landscape gardener.

Yesterday saw the start of a new term for Cara at Dorin Park School. Younger brother Alex, six, who has autism, is a pupil of Hinderton School in Ellesmere Port.

“Any school holidays are just an absolute nightmare,” said Natalie.

“Both Peter and I count down the days till school starts again!”

In March, Natalie and Peter organised a disco and charity auction in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice, raising more than £8,000.

Cara spends 17 days a year at the Wirral-based hospice, giving her parents a much-needed break.

“That’s why Claire House is so important to us. They take the whole responsibility off us. It keeps our family functioning,” said Natalie.

Abi Smith, Claire House’s area manager for Cheshire, said: “Peter and Natalie are an amazing couple. They now both work part time to juggle caring for Cara and have endless appointments with care workers, doctors and specialists along with their normal day to day lives.

“For most people this would be enough to cope with but not these.ŠŠPeter and Natalie at every opportunity raise the profile of Claire House in the Chester area but also want to raise the funds that we desperately need.

“We can’t thank people like this enough as they have enough to cope without going the extra mile.”

Claire House is holding a Manhattan Ball at Chester Racecourse on October 7. For more information, call 0151 343 0883 or email katiec@claire-house.org.uk.

Once again the Trinity Mirror Cheshire is delighted to be linking up with ScottishPower – both companies are committed to supporting local communities.

To nominate visit www.chesterchronicle. co.uk/yourchampions2011