Susan Smith’s positive outlook wins her Rose Award
Rose Award 10, Broadway, Morton 17/01/12 Daphne Smith, hands rose award to neighbour Susan Smith
A WOMAN has received The Local’s Rose Award for keeping a positive outlook at all times as she battles to cope with her husband’s serious illness.
Susan Smith, 64, of The Broadway, Morton, was nominated for the accolade by her friend and neighbour Daphne Smith, and was given her flower during a surprise presentation on Tuesday morning.
Daphne, 74, said her friend Susan of more than 40 years has remained cheerful despite her husband Rae, 67, falling ill at the end of August.
She said: “First Rae was admitted to Grantham Hospital, then to Nottingham and now to Peterborough.
Throughout this time Susan has been visiting him and it hasn’t been easy at times.”
Rae was diagnosed with leukaemia, and has since been struck down with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, which has left him paralysed from the neck downwards.
The latter is a rare but serious condition of the peripheral nervous system which involves nerve swelling and inflammation that leads to a loss of strength or sensation in the legs and arms.
It is closely linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, and is considered to be its chronic counterpart.
Daphne said Susan is very loyal and dedicated and you wouldn’t know what she is going through, as she is coping extremely well with Rae’s health problems.
She added: “She is a rock for Rae, and has also helped me out in many ways during our friendship too, so that’s why I think she deserves the Rose Award.”
Susan was overwhelmed when she received her rose.
She said: “It really was a lovely surprise. Daphne is such a gem to do this for me.
“Rae already had a low immune system due to his leukaemia, which is why he seems to have come down with this syndrome too.
“I just put myself in his position, and when you’ve been married for 46 years - you just do what you have to do.
“It is difficult but I visit him as much as possible to support him.”
Susan has two children with Rae - daughters Terri and Kathleen - and five grandchildren.
The Rose Award is kindly sponsored by Stephanie’s Flowers, in Crown Walk, Bourne.
If you know someone deserving of the Rose Award contact The Local on 01778 425876, e-mail news@bournelocal.co.uk or write to The Local, 28a West Street, Bourne, PE10 9NE.
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