A tribute TO MUM

As Mother's Day approaches, three daughters share stories of the special women in their lives

- GILLIAN HARVEY

‘She showed me almost anything is possible’ 

Lisa Arterton, 39, is a trauma rehabilitation therapist and lives in Cheshire with her husband Edward, 40, and their children Ellie, 14, Lucia, seven, and Hugo, one. Until the age of 11, my childhood was carefree. Brought up by my parents, along with my siblings, Peter, now 28, and Georgina, 30, I always felt we were a happy family. I was shocked in 1995 when my parents’ marriage ended.

Mum did her best to carry on, although I know she struggled at times. But worse was to come. At 18, I’d just moved in with Simon – my partner at the time – and had started working for a tour operator – when I had a devastating phone call. Mum had had a stroke, aged 42.

She lost her ability to talk and walk, and the use of her right arm. I was able to take Peter and Georgina in – then seven and nine – so she could be rehabilitated in hospital. Eventually, we were told Mum would be disabled for life.

‘When things are tough, I think of her’

I wasn’t sure how we would manage. Then she seemed to come into her own. She was determined to get her children back and show that she could cope, despite her limitations. She checked herself out of hospital and began to learn how to live independently again.

Against the odds, Mum proved she was able to look after my younger siblings fantastically. She’d fold school uniforms using her good hand and holding a garment in her mouth, and make trips to the shops on her mobility scooter to stock up on food, which she’d carry back in her basket.