My son is severely disabled (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, full-time wheelchair user, fed via gastrostomy due to unsafe swallow, autistic, and relies upon others for all care needs). I found it increasingly difficult to trust anybody and I was struggling terribly with the fact that my son needed a gastrostomy. I struggled because it's my job as a mother to protect, care and nurture my children and it all felt very unnatural.

I then met Amanda (Mandy) Green from the community nursing team. Mandy guided me through my difficulties of feeding in this unnatural way. Mandy spent time showing, helping, and answering questions (20 times over) and I felt comfortable asking her anything. I knew I could ask Mandy for help and she would answer me in a super quick time. Mandy took the time to know me as a mother and she knew if I asked for help then, to me it was important. I love my son deeply, I stand my ground when it comes to him, I'm not easy to please when it comes to my son because I feel if I deliver my best at all times then those who are supporting him should deliver their best too, I am a very independent mother who accepts nothing less than the best for my son. Mandy over the years has gone above and beyond my expectations.

When my son was seriously ill with pneumonia (2016) and spent a few months in hospital Mandy visited us and kept in close contact. On returning home from hospital Mandy telephoned to ask how we were and I really was not coping as I expected my son to die. He had dropped an awful amount of weight and he was still very weak. Mandy visited us and in all honesty, just made everything. Mandy's ongoing support whether via telephone, email, or visiting us helped me to become strong again in order that I could provide love, care, and support to my son.

I honestly don't believe that Mandy realises what she did for us and I know that without Mandy's support, care, love, and time then, I would have fallen to pieces without her. I have had visits etc from a number of community-based experts but, many of them forget how difficult it is for parents to deliver new procedures, etc to their children. Over the years I have known Mandy she has never forgotten and in all honesty I know that the way Mandy delivers is the best I have ever seen and that is priceless. Going forward into adult services I feel confident and comfortable and I know that everything will be good because I have been given the time, tools, and clear understanding through Mandy. I cannot thank Mandy enough for everything she has done for us. Please see this remarkable, amazing lady as a true one-off. I hope others learn from Mandy and carry Mandy's way forward into the future to enable other parents the confidence in being able to deliver the best care to their children.