[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/charlesworth_fam.jpg” caption=”Debra Charlesworth, a student in the Clinical Behavioural Sciences program, with her three sons, from left, Matthew, Peter and Bryan, in front.”]Debra Charlesworth, a Faculty of Health Sciences student and mother of four, has been honoured with a 2005 Grey Power Caregiver Award.

Charlesworth, a student in the clinical behavioural sciences program, was selected for her selfless devotion to her three adult children with special needs.

The award, sponsored by Grey Power Insurance Brokers, recognizes non-professional caregivers who go above and beyond to provide ongoing care and support to loved ones with an illness or disability.

Charlesworth, of Fonthill, believes that parents and caregivers who are willing to provide a special amount of love and support, can ensure disabled children realize their full potential.

“Just because you have a disability doesn't mean your life is over,” she says. “You have a lot of peace and joy and personal success ahead of you.”

Her three special needs children live with her. Matthew, 30, is an accomplished musician who suffers with schizophrenia. Peter, 24, an aspiring police officer, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Bryan, 20, has non-verbal classic autism and food sensitivities that require preparing all meals from scratch and supervising his eating every two hours.

Charlesworth uses communication skills developed as a former corporate coach to guide her children, and is studying clinical behavioural psychology to further enhance her abilities to help them reach their full potential. She also has a home-based therapy practice to provide assistance to other parents of disabled children, particularly those with autism or ADHD.

The Grey Power Caregiver Awards were established in 1998 as a way to honour the two million Canadians who are non-professional caregivers.