Mum joins political elite to fight for carer’s rights

CLARE LALLY is Scottish Labour’s newest addition, bringing her experience of caring for her disabled child to the Shadow Cabinet.

Clare will make sure Labour understands the challenges facing families like hers
Clare will make sure Labour understands the challenges facing families like hers

A  DEVOTED mum is taking her experience of caring for her severely disabled daughter to the frontline of Scottish politics.

Clare Lally is to join Labour’s shadow cabinet as their first “Carers Champion”.

The role will see the 31-year-old, who has no previous political experience, advise Johann Lamont’s party on the challenges facing Scotland’s 660,000 carers.

Clare, of Duntocher, Dunbartonshire, said she was delighted to help influence key policy.

She said: “I have always been a Labour supporter. But to actually be able to contribute and help make a difference is a better opportunity than I could have asked for.”

Clare and partner Derek Steel, 36, provide round-the-clock care for Katie, five, who was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy after a difficult birth.

Katie and twin sister Holly were born three months early after Clare went into premature labour days after Christmas in 2006.

Born at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow weighing just two pounds each, the girls were rushed to intensive care where they needed ventilators to help them breathe.

While Holly started to thrive, Katie — who also suffered from bulbar palsy — couldn’t suck or swallow milk and doctors initially feared for the worse.

The tough tot pulled through and is cared for at home by Clare and Derek who receive five hours of respite support a week.

Clare has campaigned on carers’ issues which led to the invitation to join Scottish Labour’s shadow cabinet.

She said: “My focus is to just do what is right for carers. I am there to listen to them and take what they are saying back to the cabinet.

“It’s not all about money or services. It is time to stop talking about cuts and start talking about what to do about it.”

 

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said Clare would be the first of several non-political appointments. 

She said: “I want a cabinet of all talents which will tap in to the expertise and experience that politicians don’t have and offer a different point of view.

“Clare will bring to us an insight into the everyday challenges faced by a young mother and carer and remind us all that politics should be about changing people’s lives for the better.”

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