Hope for Owen in helpers plea (From Ilkley Gazette)

Hope for Owen in helpers plea

2:39pm Monday 10th September 2012 in Local news

An appeal to find essential everyday helpers for an Ilkley man with a rare disabling condition has resulted in prospective recruits coming forward.

Since Owen Walker’s story appeared in the Gazette a fortnight ago, a number of people have applied for the job, and interviews have been taking place this week.

Mr Walker, 21, of Colbert Avenue, needs to find new personal assistants living locally to replace helpers who are returning to university.

Mr Walker, who was born with neuro-muscular condit-ion Dejurine-Sottas Syndro-me, requires assistance to complete many tasks in everyday life.

But domiciliary care provider, Care Dynamics, found it a challenge to track down male care assistants of a similar age living locally, despite the state of the jobs market, and has had fewer difficulties recruiting young care staff in other areas.