back to Awards & NomineesThe Inspiration Awards - Louise Mortimer

Both Louise’s sons Richard and Michael were born with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) a recessive form of muscular dystrophy which results in muscle degeneration.

Louise was completely without self-pity, and was determined to get the best treatment and outcome: not just for her boys, but for all sufferers of Muscular Dystrophy. While the boys were in hospital she stayed with them, her only help was from her Mum, the boy's grandmother. For many years - even after her own mum died - she gave Michael and Richard the most wonderful quality of life, full of adventures and travel. No small feat with two fast-growing but mainly immobile teenage boys. They achieved so much both at school and in their other interests. They also lived much longer than any of the medics had predicted. They died within four years of each other, Michael was 21 and Richard 27.

Louise still shows no shred of self-pity and is still determined to help as many people - especially young people - as she can. She is one of those women who can take whatever life throws at her, turn it round and do truly amazing work.