I’m so proud of my caring daughter-in-law

11:13am Tuesday 20th November 2007

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WHEN previously fit and healthy Clive Peters was found to have a brain tumour aged 36 and left disabled, he was told he would never be able to work again.

His wife Sharon gave up her cashier job to become his full-time carer and for the past ten years has looked after him, as well as bringing up their two daughters Leanne, 19 and Sarah, 15.

Clive's mum Margaret has nominated her daughter-in-law for the Daily Echo Carer of the Year award in recognition of Sharon's love and care. Not only has Sharon, 46, become Clive's full-time carer but she also helped look after her parents, Ronald, 74, and Joan, 71, until they both died earlier this year.

Margaret, 67, a retired retail manager of Hedge End, said: "Sharon has stood by my son throughout all of these years.

"She has been a brilliant wife, mother and daughter to her parents. She has got a brilliant sense of humour and I love her to bits."

For Sharon her husband's illness has completely transformed the way the family of Bowcombe, Netley Abbey, lives.

She said:"No one plans on becoming a carer. I certainly didn't but in the space of three weeks when my husband was diagnosed our lives were turned upside down.

"You do have something of a reality check. I used to worry about all sorts of things before, like doing the washing up before the school run and living in the fast lane all the time.

"Now I am so grateful that I have got my husband and our daughters have got their father."

She said that before his brain tumour Clive, 47, had been a very fit and active man with his job and going to the gym.

"Now we still try and act like a normal family and do everything we possibly can," she said.