A care worker in Co Tyrone is raising funds for a Dungannon woman she permanently cares for, who has been battling a severe degenerative condition for most of her life.
Linda Farrell, 47, from the town was diagnosed with Still’s disease when she was just two years old, and has been bound to a wheelchair for the last five years of her life.
Still’s disease is a rare type of inflammatory arthritis that features fevers, rash and joint pain.
Even though some people only have an episode of adult’s Still’s disease, unfortunately for Linda, her condition persists and worsens with time.
As a result of her condition, Linda has most of the joints in her body replaced with plastic and is in pain all of the time.
Linda is now due to move into a new bungalow which has been built according to her needs, but still needs work done to make it liveable for her.
Her carer Lynda Johnston has set up the fundraiser to help Linda pay for paint, floors and other items to get her home ready.
Lynda, who has been a carer for 20 years and has looked after Linda for the last seven years, said the Dungannon woman continues to have a positive attitude despite her many challenges.
“Linda suffers Still’s disease, she was diagnosed when she was two and she’s now 47,” carer Lynda said.
“She’s not got a life like we have, she can’t operate until the afternoon, she can’t do anything for herself.
“She can’t put her hands above her head, she can’t put her clothes on.
“Linda needs a lot of morphine just to get her out of bed, and she broke her legs about a year and a half ago in the house she’s in currently and was in hospital for a long time.
“She’s always so cheerful though and stays really positive. She’s such a lovely person.”
The Co Tyrone care worker added that Linda makes the best of her life that she can, and has a knack for making jewellery and loves cooking.
“Linda makes the best jewellery, and she is one the best wee cooks I’ve ever come across," she said.
“I could phone her if I’m stuck for how to make something, she would be able to tell me.
“I think she deserves to get moved into her new bungalow as soon as she can.”
Lynda has set up a GoFundMe page for Linda, which can be found here.
