Courage of Ireland’s bravest mothers honoured
The 51-year-old Cork woman is also one of the 12 finalists in the Woman’s Way Mum of the Year competition. Whether or not she takes the title in Dublin on Tuesday her family, who have battled against loss, illness and disability, want her to know that she is loved and appreciated.
Her third child, 19-year-old Trevor, who is blind, nominated his mother for the award.
“She is a wonderful woman and the best mother in the world. Whether she wins the competition or not we all want her to know how much she is appreciated. We love her to bits and we honestly couldn’t live without her,” he said.
Nuala, who lives with her husband, Michael, and their three sons in Dublin Hill lost her first child, Christian, to jaundice when he was just 22 month old.
Her second child, Darren, 20, was born a year later with auto-immune polyglandular syndrome - a rare condition which has weakened his immune system.
Much of Darren’s childhood was spent in hospital and he currently takes up to 20 tablets a day for his condition. Trevor’s father, Michael, also suffers from ill-health. Thankfully, 17-year-old Edward, has no health problems.
Trevor was born with a congenital eye defect and has been completely blind since he was two.
“She told me my blindness was a blessing and not a curse. That made me determined not to let my disability ruin my life,” he said.
Trevor recently climbed Carrantuohill in Co Kerry - the highest mountain in Ireland. “I believe I can do almost anything if I put my mind to it. That's thanks to my mother. She encouraged me to try anything.
“I now appreciate that she didn't overprotect or patronise me,” he said.
Trevor has just completed his Leaving Certificate examinations and is hoping to go to UCC. His ambition is to become a psychiatrist.
Nuala, who minded her father until he died from cancer a year and a half ago, said she just tried to live every day the best she could.
“As far as I was concerned, I wasn’t sick. My husband and my kids were. I just tried and let them live as best they could and showed them how to think positive the whole time.”
Nuala never thinks about herself and that makes it all the easier to reach and help those around her. When the burden gets a bit heavy she uses the power of prayer.
“When Edward and Trevor were doing the Leaving they were laughing at me because I had candles lit all over the place.”
More than 400 women around the country were nominated for the title and, according to Fionnuala McCarthy, editor of Woman's Way, they were overwhelmed by the response to the competition launched on Mother’s Day.
The judging panel that included Mary Kennedy, Cathy Kelly, Lorraine Keane, Clare McKeon, Norah Casey, John Creedon and Nevin Maguire were truly moved by all of the submissions received.
MARIE is from Limerick. Her son Michael who was brain damaged when just a year old has spent the last 35 years in hospital.
Marie, the mother of seven children, has born this tragedy with dignity and continues to be a loving mother and an inspiration to all seven of her children.
Anne Higgins from Cork suffered an abusive marriage for 27 years.
She raised eight children and managed a farm at the same time. Throughout her suffering she put on a brave face. She recently divorced her husband and is now bravely carving out a new life for herself.
Nuala Hussey, who has beared many burdens during her married life, never complains.
Her first child died and her next son suffers from a rare condition that weakens his immune system. Her third child is blind.
Her father recently died from lung cancer.
Vivienne O’Shea’s husband of 20 years walked out on her three years ago leaving the Dublin woman with three small children to raise on her own.
She gets up at 3am each day to work in the Gresham Hotel so she can give her children the best life she can.
Bridget Mills came out of retirement in 1989 after her daughter died leaving three little children behind.
One of the children had cerebral palsy and doctors said he would never walk.
Bridget didn’t believe them, and thanks to her efforts, he now has full use of his legs.
Bernie Conn’s life revolves around other people, particularly her four children.
The Dublin woman works at four different jobs but still manages to bring her children to and from school. She is head of the residents’ committee and organises parties for old people in her area.
Kathrina Casey is an energetic Monaghan woman who finds time to love her children and every other child who crosses her threshold.
As well taking care of her own three children, Kathrina regularly welcomes foster children into her home.
Mae Flanagan’s only daughter, Andrea, is adopted but the bond between the two is unbreakable.
Mae was there for Andrea when she went looking for her birth mother who sadly died on the same day Andrea received news about her.
Marie Sweeney was warned by doctors not to have more than two children. But she had eight.
Sadly, two of the children died at an early age. Marie’s health has suffered but she works as hard as she can for her other six young children.
Ann McDonnell ran in the Woman’s Mini Marathon earlier this year.
Nothing unusual in that but the Mayo mother of five has cancer and had to find the energy to cope with chemotherapy as well. Ann refuses to let her illness get her down.
Doreen McMorrow was born with a twisted leg and an arm so shaky that she could never use it. Her own mother had died giving birth to her.
But she had taught herself to walk by the age of 16 and she is now married with four children.
Patricia Armstrong from Co Sligo suffers daily pain from cancer in her back.
The mother of two is determined to undertake a trip to Moldova to help out at a children’s orphanage.
She even works as a part-time special needs teacher.
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