Express & Star

'We couldn’t have done it without their help' - Mother's emotional tributes to daughter's carers

'I'd do it all again, I was born a fighter and so was my Joanne', says a mother whose disabled daughter died only a few months ago after a 50-year battle with cerebral palsy.

Published
Janet Cooper, of Wolverhampton, with a picture of Joanne

Joanne Cooper was born on April 23 1967 and died on June 26 this year at New Cross Hospital. She was known for her 'wicked sense of humour' and for lighting up the room with her smile.

She is the daughter of Janet Cooper, in her seventies, of Bushbury, Wolverhampton, who also had another daughter Davina with cerebral palsy and a son, Anthony aged 52.

Now, Janet says she wants to speak up to thank all the people that helped Joanne over the years as well as reflect on and pay tribute to her life.

Janet said: "I remember when Joanne was 18-months-old, she wasn't doing as much as my friend's twins were of the same age. She couldn't sit up on her own without me putting cushions behind her, and she wasn't speaking.

"She was diagnosed with the condition not long after and I didn't know what cerebral palsy was at all. So when I asked the doctor back then, he said 'Look in the Bible.'"

Joanne Cooper, of Wolverhampton, on her 50th birthday

But Janet and her late husband Joseph Cooper, known as Joey, did not let the diagnosis change how they loved and cared for their daughter, encouraging her to do everything she possibly could. Then Janet had another daughter, Davina, who was also diagnosed with the same condition.

Janet said: "Everyone thought they were twins, they were such beautiful girls. Both attended the training centre at Oxley and were getting on really well.

"But when I was ill, I said to my Joey that I needed a break because I didn't have the strength to carry on with them at that point. So he arranged for them to go away from the Friday to the Sunday and stay at the Oxley short stay centre as it was then."

On that Sunday, Janet was delivered with the tragic news that six-and-a-half-year-old Davina had died at the centre, from undiagnosed pneumonia.

Joanne Cooper, of Wolverhampton, with her father Joseph Cooper in 2006

"Joanne came home and for a long time she would look around her wondering where her sister was. She was like that again when my Joey died - I had to tell her her Daddy was in the clouds looking down at her, and if was raining that was because she had been misbehaving!"

Joey died in May 2013 aged 73 at New Cross Hospital after suffering with cancer of the spine.

Janet said: "On an average day, we would get up at 6am and get Joanne washed and carried downstairs. I would feed her her porridge and do her hair and make up - she was beautiful.

"Then she'd go to either Oxley or Green Park centre in Bilston or the A41 centre in Albert Road and be back by 3.30pm when she'd be fed, changed again and spend the evening with us before doing the same again the next morning.

"About 19 years before she died we had carers coming in to help because of my arthritis and Joey passing away. The carers and district nurses were angels, they really were.

Janet Cooper's children, Joanne Cooper, Anthony Cooper, and Davina Cooper, photographed in 1972

"I just want to thank everyone who helped her and enhanced her life. Everyone knew us and I feel like so many people will be wondering what happened to us so hopefully this will spread the word.

"I'd do it all again, I was born a fighter and so was my Joanne. We just couldn't have kelp fighting without everyone in the community, the medical teams, friends and family who were there for us for so many years."

Joanne was often in the Express & Star during her lifetime. She was featured for her enthusiasm for St George's Day, being born on the day itself, as well as for being a bridesmaid, having her dog stolen when she was 21, and for what she had achieved in her life.

"I was never able to grieve for Joey while Joanne was alive, because I never wanted to be upset like that around her. But now I know he's been reunited with our two girls, I think maybe now I'll be able to get through it and by thanking everyone, it'll help me to get some closure," Janet added.