New carers found for Owen following appeal (From Ilkley Gazette)

New carers found for Owen following appeal

1:00pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Amanda Greaves

A search for carers to help a 21-year-old Ilkley man with a rare degenerative disorder has been successful.
Social care provider Care Dynamics (Yorkshire) reported last month it was experiencing problems recruiting a team of young, male personal assistants for Owen Walker, of Colbert Avenue.
Mr Walker was born with Dejurine-Sottas Syndrome, a neuro-muscular disease that confines him to an electric wheelchair.
Following an appeal in the Gazette to find the helpers he needs for everyday tasks, three men in their 20s have been appointed – two from Ilkley and one from Guiseley.
Mr Walker, who needs a team of personal assistants to help him both at home and to get out and about, said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve managed to recruit a new team of carers and I’m looking forward to starting working with them.
“Now it’s assured that I will get the support I need to do things that others take for granted, I can start focusing on other important matters, like looking for a job.
“I’d like to thank both Care Dynamics and the local media for all the help and support they’ve given me over the past few weeks. They’ve both been excellent.”
The search for new carers began as Mr Walker’s previous assistants resumed their university courses.
Cheryl Dibbin, co-founder and director of Bradford-based Care Dynamics, which is currently expanding across Wharfedale, said: “We received a good number of applications and have now successfully recruited three young men for Owen, all of whom are exactly what he was looking for.
“While all three are new to the care sector, they are young, intelligent, personable, honest and – most importantly – caring and willing to learn, and we are now providing specialist training.”
A former student at Ilkley Grammar School, Mr Walker graduated from Warwick University earlier this year.
He hopes to work in radio or television, and currently presents a weekly music, chat and local interest show on Drystone Radio.