Devoted Ron scoops national carer award
Last updated at 13:47, Thursday, 11 December 2008
THE devotion and selflessness of a loving husband has been recognised during a glittering awards ceremony in London.
Ron Payne, of West Woodburn, was named national Carer of the Year by brain injury charity Headway.
He stepped up to collect his award from actor and comedian Tim Vine during the ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday.
Mr Payne (65) was praised for his dedication to caring for his severely brain-injured wife, Heather, while at the same time helping to found Headway’s branch in Tynedale.
Chief executive of Headway UK, Peter McCabe said: “Ron is an incredible man. He has shown unfaltering love in the face of incredible adversity – even neglecting his own health at times in order to put Heather’s needs first.
“At the same time, he works tirelessly to help other people who have had their lives devastated by brain injury, and his selfless deeds deserve recognition.
“He is a very inspirational and deserving winner of the Carer of the Year award.”
The Paynes’ world was turned upside down seven years ago, just after the couple had returned from a holiday in Spain.
Heather began to complain of a pain in her leg, which had become cold and discoloured.
She was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, and doctors tackled the problem by inserting a filter in her neck.
Despite the procedure being relatively straightforward, a blunder caused an internal bleed in her neck, which led to her airway being blocked, followed by heart and lung failure.
It took 20 minutes to revive her, during which time oxygen deprivation caused irreversible brain damage.
Heather (62), who is largely confined to a wheelchair, now suffers from weakness down the left side of her body, memory problems and epilepsy.
Ron and Heather both worked for the JobCentre network – in 2001 they were working in the same office – but Ron took early retirement when the scale of the damage became apparent.
Eschewing the accolades, a humble Ron said: “I’m just being a husband. Forty-one years ago we said our wedding vows in church and promised to love and care for each other in sickness and in health.
“That’s just what I'm doing, and I know Heather would do the same for me.”
In 2007 Ron played a leading role in forming Headway Tynedale, a local branch of the national charity that works to improve life after brain injury.
The group exists to provide brain injury survivors in the region with an opportunity to socialise with other people who understand what they’re going through, while providing carers with much-needed respite and support.
Ron spends a great deal of time recounting his personal experience at conferences in the hope that it might inspire those in similar situations to keep going.
He also lobbies policy makers for improved services for brain injury survivors.
The Headway annual awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.
Headway Tynedale meets at Tanners House, Gilesgate, Hexham, each Wednesday from 11am till 3pm.
The meetings, which offer respite, support and the opportunity to socialise, are open to anyone who has suffered a head injury, their family and carers.
First published at 13:15, Thursday, 11 December 2008
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
