Sherry Pugh and her partner Terry Nicholls have two children. George is five and his elder brother William is six. William has Cerebal Palsy and caring for him is a 24 hour, round-the-clock job. William needs lifting and has to be tube fed. He also needs constant physiotherapy. At times their home can resemble a hospital with all the equipment they need.
Balancing caring and work
Terry works as a leisure centre manager and Sherry has a civilian job in the Police Force. They both work alternating shifts so when Terry is coming home Sherry is going off to work. This way they can manage to provide the constant care their son needs. However, it means they don't spend much time together.
Time for themselves
As William's needs are so complex they can't just get a babysitter if they want to go out. Their local authority provide trained care workers for just 3 hours every month. This means that Terry and Sherry can get a much needed night out, to go for a drink and a round of golf . These are things their friends take for granted. "We've been together for 14 years," says Terry, "but it seems so strange to actually go out together, it feels like we're on a first date!"
Constant battle
Three hours isn't enough but they get tired of battling the authorities for help. "You really have to push for everything and sometimes I just can't be bothered to chase things. We've filled in umpteen forms and been turned down for things, only to be told years later that we should have had it in the first place."
What would help
As they both work they find they get little help from the government. Terry would really like to get an adapted car as Sherry has injured her back lifting William in and out of the car and is undergoing hospital treatment. However the car costs £28,000 and they can't afford it. "I'm worried about the damage to Sherry's back," he says, "as I could end up caring for her too."
Valuing carers
Like most familes Terry and Sherry are just getting on with their lives but when he thinks about how much it would cost to support William full time Terry does feel an injustice. "It would cost the government £100,000 a year to provide the specialist care my son needs. We do it for nothing because we love him. Don't get me wrong, we wouldn't have it any other way, but I do wish we didn't have to fight so hard for the little bits of help we do get."
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