Ferndown woman launches fundraiser for mother with MS

Stacy Williams has quit her job as a care manager to look after her mum, Linda, full-time.

The 40-year-old from Ferndown says Linda is facing “declining health” and is in need of full-time assistance.

Stacy said: “Mum was always very active. She umpired at netball, had four kids and a dog.

“But then she got diagnosed with MS in 2007 after having a shaky arm for a few years and it all went downhill really quickly from there.

Linda Williams (Image: Stacy Williams)

“She’s now in a wheelchair and has also got COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and osteoporosis. She’s broken probably about five bones in the last year, so she’s in agony.”

Just two weeks after quitting her full-time job, Stacy has already begun caring for her mother at her Bournemouth bungalow - something she said wouldn’t have been possible this time last year.

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She told the Daily Echo: “I had brain surgery - deep brain stimulation - for my MS in June. Before then, I couldn’t even cut up my own food, because I had such a tremor on my left arm.

"I wouldn’t have been able to be mum’s carer at that point. It's only because of the surgery that I can now look after not only myself but her too.”

Stacy and Linda (Image: Stacy Williams)

Stacy has also launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy Linda a stand-up wheelchair and has already raised more than £1,300 in donations.

The pair had been told about the benefits of a stand-up wheelchair by another carer.

Stacy said: “Mum is so frustrated and down. She hates being in a wheelchair and she just wants to feel like everyone else.

“Mainly, it’s for her confidence, and to make her feel more involved in things. It’s different when you’re sat in a wheelchair, to when you’re stood up with people - you feel more part of things.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/purchase-a-standing-wheelchair