Heather Beaumont, 55 and from Carrickfergus, is one of only three people from across the UK to be shortlisted for the title of Carer of the Year. The nomination recognises Heather's outstanding devotion to supporting her husband Gary, 56, after a brain injury in 2013 left him wheelchair-bound and unable to communicate.
The accolade, sponsored by SweetTree Home Care Services, will be presented by double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell at an awards ceremony organised by Headway – the brain injury association in London on Friday 16 December.
The couple, who met at a gym almost three decades ago, had been enjoying a weekend away in London in November 2013 when Gary suffered a near-fatal hypoxic brain injury in his sleep, leaving him with a life-changing brain injury.
Gary was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment before being flown to Belfast to begin an uphill journey to recovery in Northern Ireland.
For almost a year, it was touch and go whether Gary would survive and doctors warned that, if Gary pulled through, it was likely he would be left with long-term cognitive impairment. A long and anxious time lay ahead for the family.
Heather never left Gary's bedside and, thankfully, Gary regained a low level of consciousness, though brain injury left him unable to talk, move, or eat independently.
Remaining positive at every stage and never once conveying any sense of worry to Gary, Heather would visit the hospital twice each day, often making a round trip exceeding 40 miles to be with her loved one.
At times, Heather was unaware if her husband recognised who she was or indeed had any recall of the life they once lived.
Before brain injury, Gary worked as a Systems and Methods Engineer in Belfast. Keen travellers, the couple had voyaged around the world on various holidays, with Gary always ready to snap shots of their many adventures.
With her husband now struggling to move and communicate after brain injury, Heather would often visit the hospital armed with the many photos and videos of their holidays to help him recall their life together.
Having completed training courses in manual handling and peg feeding to ensure she takes a hands on role in delivering Gary's care, Heather also took on the role of Gary’s voice and advocate within the Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit in Belfast.
Three years on, Heather continues to successfully juggle hospital visits with family life and her job working for a local company, Oakland Insurance, based in Belfast, to maintain a stable income and network of support for Gary.
She still visits Gary at Thompson House Hospital in Lisburn every day, and now is working tirelessly to adapt their home with a hope that Gary will finally be able to move back home in time for Christmas.
Although Gary’s only method of communication is still through eye contact, he continues to make slow but definite improvements with the ceaseless support of his wife.
After Gary's brain injury, Heather began attending counselling sessions and turned to local brain injury charity Headway Ballymena for support, and soon became an active member of the group.
In 2014, Heather and her parents hosted a coffee morning to raise more than £1,000 for Headway Ballymena. Last year, Heathers colleagues at Oakland Insurance held an event called More-than-a-Marathon, which saw 72 runners cover 26 miles around the North coast to raise a further £4,000 for Headway Ballymena services. They are hoping to make this an annual event.
"It was such a lovely surprise to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award," said Heather.
"Brain injury came as a real shock to us. Gary had been a fit and active man with no pre-existing medical conditions or concerns when he was struck down in his prime.
"Even today, I'm not always sure whether Gary just knows me from after his brain injury or actually remembers me from our lives before. This feeling comes and goes and there are times I get upset. But as long as he keeps trying to get better, I will keep trying too.
"I've realised that life is largely about learning to accept what has happened and take enjoyment from the smaller things that other people often overlook.
"I now take enormous pleasure from the little things in life. The first time I was allowed to take Gary out of the hospital in his wheelchair for a stroll around the park was the first time we had been alone together since his brain injury. No nurses or medical staff – it was just us. He was unable to communicate with me and closed his eyes for most of the outing, but I realised during that outing just how peaceful and beautiful the blue sky is and we enjoyed that moment of calm together.
"Headway Ballymena has been a real support. My parents were worried about me for a long time, and they are so relieved that I now have a community of empathetic people to talk to, support and discuss the challenges of brain injury.
"After brain injury, our friends seemed to drop away as our new life and the challenges it has brought uprooted our old lifestyle and made socialising difficult. The community and friends I've made at Headway's carer's group really help me to see through the difficulties and focus on the positive steps we need to take to help Gary and others affected by brain injury to rebuild their family lives."
Heather was nominated for the award by Frances McGarry, Chairperson at Headway Ballymena.
"Heather is an inspiration," said Frances. "For the past three years, she has dedicated her life to Gary and cares for him always with a smile on her face, never asking for anything for herself.
"Through Heather’s pure love and belief in him, Gary has made great strides in his recovery and, despite him still struggling to communicate, you can clearly see the emotional connection and love that exudes from him when Heather arrives.
"Heather has never once changed how she talks to or about Gary as he is the same man she married, the same man she loved, and positivity and love flows from her when she talks about him. Soulmates, they live for each other and still do to this day.
"Her tremendous strength and ceaselessly positive disposition also gives hope and support to our other Headway members living with brain injury. Despite raising thousands for Headway Ballymena through her various fundraising initiatives, Heather remains unaware of her own immense value, her kindness and her compassion.
"There is no one in the world more deserving of this award, and we just hope the nomination will go a long way to showing Heather how much we all value her."
Each year, Headway Annual Awards celebrates the exceptional efforts of survivors of brain injury and their carers. Heather will discover if she is to be named Carer of the Year at The Dorchester Hotel, in London, on Friday 16 December. Awards for Achiever and Volunteer will also be presented, alongside The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award.
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