A WATERFORD mum-of-three, who was the focus of ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland’ on RTE recently, has described the transformation of her home as “life-changing”.
Laura Sheridan was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and received her treatment while caring for her four-year-old twin boys, Noah and Joshua, who have a form of autism.
“She was diagnosed with Lymphoma, and she was absolutely crushed,” her dad Skippy told presenter Baz Ashmawy, describing how she learned of her diagnosis soon after finding out her sons were autistic.
she was absolutely crushed
Showing Baz around her home, Laura pointed out the dangers it held for her children, from them climbing out windows and over the banister, to how they have had broken bones in the past. “They want to jump off everything,” she said.
Laura had tried to make her home safe for her children, but feared she “made it more like a prison”.
Over nine days, the Sheridans moved out and the DIY SOS team moved in, reconfiguring the house.
Noah and Joshua were given a sensory-friendly bedroom beyond anything they could have imagined, complete with climbing wall and monkey bars for all their active needs. one of the most impactful changes was the addition of a massive window overlooking the garden so she could watch her children from the kitchen and be sure of their safety.
for the rest of my life I will never, ever forget it
Laura told Baz and the team they had brought magic into her house. “I hope when you go home [tonight], your families know how special you are because not everyone could or would do what you have done here.
“If you were ever in trouble, I would do the same for you because you have helped me in my hardest time. And I swear for the rest of my life I will never, ever forget it,” she said.
