Couple's special bond will help others

THIS Ipswich family share a love that knows no bounds and today they want to spread a little bit of it.

Tracy and Raymond Swanton fell in love nearly four years ago despite the fact a car crash in 1998 left Mr Swanton with brain damage, a fractured skull, muscle wastage and learning difficulties.

But although the duo's life together has been far from easy they still relish every moment with each other and with their two children, three-year-old Megan and 10-month-old Charlie.

And now the couple, who met through Mr Swanton's step-dad and live in Bilberry Road in Ravenswood, are planning a charity bash to raise funds for two causes which have helped them immeasurably.

An upcoming family fun day and disco will raise money for Ipswich and East Suffolk Headway and Suffolk Family Carers.

Mrs Swanton, 28, said: “We started talking on the phone and I never worried about his disabilities.

“I think at one point he'd given up hope of finding love but for me all I thought about was that we got on - we just clicked.

“You just deal with what life throws at you.

“He's got worse since we got together. I knew it would happen one day but not necessarily so soon.”

And even four years on, Mr Swanton is still battling to cope with his injuries from the crash.

Mrs Swanton said: “He's a good dad but it makes him quiet.

“He keeps falling down the stairs so we're trying to get a bungalow.”

Mrs Swanton, who is the full-time carer for her 26-year-old husband, said the family were helped greatly by the support of vital community charities, which is why she decided to put on a charity event.

She said: “He goes to Ipswich and East Suffolk Headway one day a week from 10am to 3pm and it gives me a bit of a break and it gives him more confidence.

“He's been doing a lot of art there and it's prompted him to take up an art course.

“They are specialists so it's given him a bit more understanding about his disabilities too.

“And Suffolk Family Carers has done so much for me. It provides a support line, has helped to train me and has a brilliant support group.

“So I thought it would be really good to collect some money for them by putting on an event and give something back.”

WEBLINK

www.headwayipswich.org.uk

www.suffolk-carers.co.uk

The Event

To raise money for Ipswich and East Suffolk Headway and Suffolk Family Carers, the Swanton family have organised a family fun day and disco.

The event is being held at the Conservative Club on Clapgate Lane in Ipswich on June 2.

From noon until 4pm there will be face painting, a magician, a clown, craft stalls, competitions and food available during the family fun day which costs £2 for adults and £1 for children.

From 7.30pm to 11pm there will be a disco and buffet which costs £10 for adults and £2.50 for children. People with a disability can bring a carer for free.

For more information or a ticket call Tracy Swanton on 07923 544731 or e-mail tracyswanton@btinternet.com.

Ipswich and East Suffolk Headway

Headway is a national organisation which set up a Suffolk branch in 1987.

It is based at Ipswich Hospital.

It provides rehabilitation for people with a head injury caused by an accident or a stroke.

It offers families, friends or carers respite, support and advice.

It helps brain injury survivors come to terms with their new circumstances, re-integrate into family and community life, and maximise their opportunities and choices.

SOURCE: Headway

Suffolk Family Carers

Suffolk Family Carers started life as a local authority organisation and became an independent charity in 1998.

It tries to increase the well-being of the 98,000 carers looking after family members in Suffolk by offering information, support, and an advocacy service.

It runs a help-line, 01473 232679, which answers queries between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

SOURCE: Suffolk Family Carers