'My social worker said I could be her carer and get more money. I told her I’d rather be her mum'

Single mother and full-time carer Ita says 'finance is definitely my biggest challenge' as she is only entitled to half the Carer's Allowance while receiving the Blind Pension

Single mother Ita Carroll, who is deaf and blind, is the full-time carer of her daughter Shellie Chantelle, who has Down syndrome. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Losing her hearing in an unprovoked attack before gradually turning blind marked just the start of Ita Carroll’s long battle with adversity.

A single mother, she is now the full-time carer to her daughter Shellie — who has Down syndrome.