Kerry: Face 2 Face befriender

Local Face 2 Face schemes recruit and train volunteer parents who have disabled children themselves to act as befrienders.

Befrienders are able to share and empathise with parents, helping them to make positive adjustments and look more optimistically to the future.

Kerry, who is mum to three children, including twin girls Kayley and Holly. Kayley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of two.

“When I was first told I was having twins I nearly fell off the bed, as there is no history of it in either of our families! As the girls got older we noticed that Holly was reaching her milestones but Kayley wasn’t. We quickly realised that something wasn’t right.

“Life became a constant merry-go-round of hospital appointments. After two years, Kayley was finally diagnosed with cerebral palsy and some related conditions. Looking back to the time of diagnosis, I had no support whatsoever. I felt very lonely and isolated.

“Through Kayley’s school I got a leaflet advertising a meeting for parents of disabled children. Fed up of feeling lonely and sad I agreed to go. At the end, I met a lady called Denise who explained what Face 2 Face was about. It was such a relief to learn that there were other parents out there who were going through the same emotional rollercoaster as me.

“I started going to some of the Face 2 Face support groups where I met many new friends who understood what I was going through. Eventually, Denise asked me about becoming a befriender myself and I took the training.

“I currently support two families and it’s going really well. I just only wish that I had the support of Face 2 Face when Kayley was being diagnosed. Words can’t describe how much I recommend and love Face 2 Face.”