In this blog we meet Erin through the words of her mum, Wendy. Erin is a client of Northern Case Management, and here we share her story to raise awareness of children with epilepsy and other disabilities, as well as showcase the great work that Northern Case Management do.

Erin’s start in life

Erin came into the world after 42 weeks of pregnancy, but her arrival wasn’t the joyous moment it should have been. Due to negligence during her birth, she sustained a significant brain injury, Level 5 Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). This is due to the oxygen or blood flow to the brain being reduced or stopped during the birth.

That injury changed everything. Erin was later diagnosed with four-limb Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Dystonia, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), and more recently, brittle bones. She now lives with a gastrostomy and tracheostomy, and every day presents its own challenges.

Life as her sole carer

I became Erin’s sole carer when she was just four years old. At the time, I was also raising her adventurous two-year-old sibling. There were years filled with sleepless nights, exhaustion, and a deep sense of being overwhelmed.

When we reached a settlement and brought Northern Case Management (NCM) on board, it was a huge decision and not an easy one. It felt like I was handing over the reins of my daughter’s life to someone else.

But looking back now, I’m so grateful I took that step.

Welcoming Northern Case Management (NCM)

Our case manager has been nothing short of incredible. While this life and this emotionally demanding, often unpredictable journey is not one any of us would choose for our children, having NCM walk it with us has changed everything. It’s not always smooth sailing, but through every twist and turn, they’ve been right there with us.

They’re no longer just a team; we consider them part of our family.

Thanks to NCM, Erin’s life has been enriched in ways I never imagined. They’ve introduced ideas for adaptations I didn’t even know existed and we have gone on trips I did not think were possible. Erin’s care team is made up of people who truly love her and always put her needs first.

Most importantly, Erin is happier. Her independence has grown, her days are more fulfilling, and she’s surrounded by people who engage with her constantly. And because of that, I’ve been able to step back from being “just the carer” and be her mum again.

Northern Case Management didn’t come in to take over. They came to lift us up. They’ve helped us create a life for Erin that’s not defined by her limitations, but filled with joy.

If Erin could speak, I know exactly what she’d say: Thank you to Sam and the entire team at NCM. You’ve changed our lives.