Anna’s Story: Living Life on Her Terms
Independence and support go hand in hand for Anna. Her live-in carer helps with daily routines, hospital visits, and adventures beyond the home, creating a partnership that allows her to live life on her terms.
Anna was born prematurely at St George’s Hospital in London, and at just two months old her parents were told she had cerebral palsy. The prognosis at the time was bleak. For several weeks she could neither see nor hear, and for years she struggled to speak or walk. Intensive rehabilitation at school and at home became a central part of her development.
Anna steadily pushed against those early expectations. By the age of nine, she joined mainstream education, which she continued until the age of 19. Later, she attended Treloar College in Hampshire, a residential college where she was introduced to more independent living.
Even as a child, Anna faced her therapies with determination. When new rehabilitation equipment was delivered to the family home, her first reaction was joy, quickly followed by the realisation that it meant long hours of hard work. Her resilience stayed with her into adulthood.
After completing her education at 21, Anna found ways to stay active in her community, taking up horse riding, swimming, and gym sessions with a personal trainer. But she and her family also began to think about long-term living arrangements. The family visited care homes, yet Anna was clear she wanted her own home. At 30, she finally secured social housing just minutes from her parents. It was Anna’s social worker who first introduced the family to Promedica24.
The first meeting was with Bob Marsden, who explained how live-in care could support Anna. A full care and risk assessment was then carried out by Care Manager Claire Aylett. With the right support in place, Anna was able to move into her new home in April 2019.
Since then, Anna has had the support of sixteen carers, many of whom stayed with her for long periods. For the past four years, her carer Joanna has been a consistent presence.
“Thanks to her support, Anna went for many trips to the countryside and for a number of holidays abroad with the family,” her parents say. “Joanna is a very professional carer, and we fully trust and rely on her experience.”
Day-to-day, Anna receives support with personal care, shopping, cooking, and household tasks. Joanna also accompanies her to personal training sessions in the mornings and joins her on afternoon walks. Thanks to that support, Anna is able to travel frequently, including holidays abroad with her family. On one trip, both Anna and her mother became unwell from food poisoning. Joanna’s calm professionalism ensured Anna received the care she needed.
Anna’s parents say that since having live-in care, their daughter has not only been able to live in the home she wanted, but also to enjoy privacy and social life on her own terms. They particularly value the carer’s regular updates, which give them peace of mind.
Now 36, Anna continues to enjoy the things that matter most to her: time with her family, holidays abroad, and the freedom to live in her own home with the right support in place.
For her parents, the support has also been invaluable: “We are grateful for the assistance of Care Manager Claire Aylett, who was always kind and provided us with the right information. Thanks to Promedica24, Anna is happy and has a fulfilling life.”
To learn more about how live-in care can support you or your loved one, reach out to your local Care Consultant or call 0800 086 8686 to speak to our team.
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