Supportive Mum of the Year 2009, Mridula Jain

Mridula Jain, 48, from Cricklewood, London, has been named Tesco magazine's 'Supportive Mum of the Year 2009'

Mridula's 12-year-old son, Arvind, was just three when doctors delivered the devastating news that he was suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severe muscle-wasting disease. The heart-breaking prognosis is that he won't survive beyond his late teens or early twenties.

As well as providing round-the-clock care for Arvind, Mridula also devotes a tremendous amount of time and effort to supporting other families in need. Shushma, 26, nominated her mum for the award and told us, 'My mum is one in a million. Thank God she is my mum.'

A tough challenge

Mridula spent more than 20 years working for her local council, but as her son Arvind's needs became greater, she gave up work to become his full-time carer. Wheelchair-bound since the age of nine, Arvind is unable to do even the simplest of things, such as turning on the TV, without his mum's help. As well as the daily pressures she faces with her son, she also cares for her husband, Ashok, who is profoundly deaf and has severe epilepsy.

An inspiration

Yet in addition to the tremendous support she gives her own family, Mridula is determined to use her experiences to help others too. With the charity Home-Start, she provides other parents with emotional and practical help for up to six months at a time. She has also previously looked after women with post-natal depression, and helped encourage victims of domestic violence back into society – neither easy tasks.

She also acts as a mentor to other mothers with disabled children in her area, and is actively involved with a local scheme which offers guidance to young mums.

Amazingly, Mridula also finds time to raise money for several charities close to her heart, including Tesco Charity of the Year, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Abby Mardon, Director of Marketing and Communications for the charity says, 'Mridula is an inspiration to her family and friends, and also to everyone here at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. By raising funds for us she is contributing to pioneering research, giving hope to thousands of other families affected by muscle disease across the UK.'

Fulfilling dreams

Mridula is determined to make each day of Arvind's life as enjoyable as possible, and though modest about her achievements, she never gives up trying to fulfil his dreams. She previously arranged a trip to India for him to meet his Bollywood idol, and last year the family travelled to Florida to meet Arvind's favourite Disney characters. She says, 'It's moments like these I will treasure once Arvind has gone. While he's still with us, at least I can give him his life.'

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Mridula Jain – Tesco magazine's Supportive Mum of the Year 2009

Mridula Jain – Tesco magazine's Supportive Mum of the Year 2009

My mum is one in a million. Thank God she is my mum

Shusma Jain

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