Amy is the 20 year old daughter of Keith and Liz Healey. She was born and brought up in Barrow. Having left school, Amy completed a Nursery Nurse apprenticeship before embarking on an NHS Cadetship. Whilst doing this she was also employed as a Home Carer, visiting the old and infirm to help with their personal care needs. Amy went on to join the NHS Nursing bank at Furness General hospital as an auxillary nurse and has recently commenced her NHS Nursing Degree at Edgehill University.
In October 2012, Keith was unexpectedly struck down by Guillane Barré syndrome. At that time, he was a serving police officer with 29 years service in Cumbria Constabulary. For a short time, Keith was critically ill and he was hospitalised for two months. The illness attacked his central nervous system and he lost the ability to use his arms, legs, hands or feet.
The impact on the family was significant as Keith required twenty four hour support whilst Liz had responsibilities to her own job and had to run their house from day to day.
From the outset, Amy was a constant support for Keith and Liz, during the initial critical period whilst Keith was in hospital and thereafter whilst at home, assuming the role of Keith’s personal carer.
Without hesitation, Amy took responsibility for her father’s hygiene and medical needs, helping with his physiotherapy whilst throughout, providing him with invaluable company.
Two years on, Keith has retired from the police and although he is less reliant on others, his recovery is slow and his mobility is still very much impaired. Amy’s support for her parents throughout this extremely difficult period in their lives has not wavered.
Amy has had the ambition to pursue a career in nursing for a long time. She exudes a warmth of character, kindness and instinctive sense of care towards others which is invaluable as a nurse. She has made concious decisions to follow the appropriate career path, learning and building upon her experiences.
When faced with her father’s illness, Amy ‘stepped up to the mark’, but without doubt, went way beyond what would be expected of a nurse or a daughter.
Amy sacrificed her time unstintintingly and has done all this whilst retaining a wonderful sense of humour and determination to ensure her father’s needs have been met.
Congratulations Amy on your nomination and…
BREAKING NEWS – congratulations on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!