This Carers Week meet Lorna Connors from our Business Intelligence Team. A mother of two, she juggles her fulltime role with being a mum and carer to her five-year-old son Liam who has severe allergies.
Lorna is sharing her family’s story to highlight the unseen reality many carers live through each day, but also to reflect on how caring has deepened her understanding of equality and the need for inclusive support in every public space.
Lorna explains:
“My partner Dave and I have two amazing children, Seren, who is 7, and Liam, who is 5. Seren is a bright and energetic child with no additional needs, while Liam lives with complex medical conditions. It’s only recently that I’ve begun to identify myself as a full-time carer, even though I’ve been in that role for five years now.”
Liam has been admitted to hospital more than 30 times in his short life, including 10 admissions for breathing difficulties over this past winter. He suffers from severe allergy related asthma and has multiple food and environmental allergies, including dairy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, dust, dogs, cats, and hay fever.
Lorna added:
“Liam always carries EpiPens with him. We’ve had to use them twice, including during an incredibly traumatic experience while on holiday in Menorca last year.”
Lorna recalls numerous incidents when she felt she was losing her little boy when he began stridor breathing with narrowed airways. When Liam was six months old it became obvious, he was having an allergic reaction to milk. Doctors referred him to hospital and for the next six months he was in and out of hospital before coming under the care of a consultant.
Lorna recalls a terrifying incident:
“It was a week before Christmas, Liam was 14 months old and we were rushed to hospital because he was struggling to breathe. They couldn't stabilise him and he was incubated in a high dependency unit. I was terrified, he nearly died that day. I was on my own with him, it was during COVID, so Dave was home with Seren who was two.”
In Liam’s short life he’s been rushed to A&E with breathing issues related to asthma or allergies 75 times.
Lorna goes on:
“We do what all parents do, we show up, love fiercely, and get through the tough days. But when those tough days include medical emergencies, navigating a system that isn’t always easy to access, and managing appointments alongside a full-time job, it can feel overwhelming. I’ve had to step back and really see myself as a carer, not just a parent. Speaking to a clinical psychologist helped me realise how much we’ve been carrying. I’ve also accessed the Trust’s Talking Therapies service to process the trauma of nearly losing Liam a few times. I’m grateful to the Trust for recognising the role carers play, I’ve used carer’s leave during hospital stays and purchased additional leave to help manage ongoing appointments. I’m especially thankful to my incredibly supportive line manager, who always meets our family’s needs with understanding and a compassionate style of leadership. I will be attending the next Carers Forum our Trust run."
Lorna highlights:
"Anyone can become a carer when they least expect it and I’m truly grateful that the Trust support me. This journey has also taught me so much about the importance of equality. True equality means recognising and removing the barriers that people with additional needs and their carer face daily. It means making room for flexibility, empathy, and practical support. Whether it’s in the workplace, healthcare, or education, equality is about creating an environment where everyone can participate, thrive, and feel seen and understood. As carers, we often don’t ask for help, because we’re so used to doing it all. We all deserve to be seen, supported, and valued and not just during Carers Week, but always.”
