The Johnstone family 71 Engineer Regiment
The Johnstones live in Fife, Scotland. Dave is a Technical Sergeant in 71 Engineer Regiment and has been serving since 1986.
Dave and Kim’s 16 year old daughter, Leah, is disabled by a rare chromosome disorder. Because of her disability Leah cannot do anything for herself and needs round the clock care from her parents. She is paralysed on the left side of her face and is partially blind and deaf. Leah has severe epilepsy, cystic fibrosis and scoliosis; she is incontinent and totally immobile.
Giving Leah 24/7 care leaves Dave and Kim exhausted. They never have a peaceful night’s sleep as Leah needs care through the night and have rarely had a holiday.
Leah receives respite care two nights a week, but when Dave is away for work, Kim understandably struggles, so we pay for additional nights of respite care to give Kim some rest.
Kim said: “I’m so much more than a mum. Life’s never been normal, The Soldiers’ Charity has given me normality. Having nursing care gives me rest, recuperation, support and peace of mind.”
Dave said “The Soldiers’ Charity has given us a bit of life back, an opportunity to be parents again, not just carers.”
