Johanne Powell appeared on last night's Late Late Show to talk about her life as a carer to her 32-year-old child with disabilities, Siobhan Powell.
The devoted mum previously vented her frustrations at caring for her profoundly disabled daughter, in a widely criticised and brutally honest article in the Irish Times.
Siobhan suffers from a rare genetic disorder, causing her to be born with an unusually small head, unable walk or eat solid foods. She is also non-verbal and doubly incontinent.
Johanne said that her thoughts on being a full-time carer are commonly felt by people in the same position, but admits that she can't speak for everyone.
“People are afraid to say in public, the things that I am saying now; that I am bored, depressed, I want more, I want a life for myself," she told host Ryan Tubridy.
“They are afraid to be judged, and I can understand that.”
“When you are pregnant, you have all these unrealistic notions for the child you are going to have - that they'll be Olympic swimmers with university degrees...and I got a child that will never do anything. I will never have grandchildren, ever. I come from a big family. I would love to have more children. We couldn't have anymore, it just didn't happen," she continued.
“I would love to have plenty of grandchildren to spoil and do things for, and you grieve also for the child you thought you were going to have.”
The Powells, from Co Wexford, have been hoping to move Siobhan to a long-term residential placement close to their home - but without much success.
The waiting list for such placements extends back to 2007.
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