AN inspirational Port Glasgow super mum who has fought for her two disabled children is now going into battle for her home town.
Pamela MacDonald's oldest son Jack, 18, and daughter Emily, aged 14, both have Aicardi-Goutiere Syndrome, a condition which affects the immune system and muscles, leaving both in wheelchairs.
But the 38-year-old mum of six has turned her role as a mum into a super power, and used the barriers they have faced as a family into a force for good for her whole community.
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Pamela, who is an committed member of the Port Glasgow New Parish Church, is living her faith, having set up a hugely successful parent and toddler group, as well as an after school club for children with additional support needs.
She also volunteers at the church's drop-in cafe, set up to tackle social isolation.
Modest Pamela, who lives in Milton Road, said: "Somebody once said to me if you need something done, ask a busy person to do it!
"I think that is true of me. I just need to keep busy.
"I have spent my life keeping on top of hospital and doctor appointments.
"Church has always been such a big part of my life and I have found my home in the Port Glasgow New Parish Church. They are family."
She added: "As a mum with two small children, I set up the toddlers group two years ago as much for myself as anyone else.
"I love organising the sessions, the activities and just seeing everyone enjoying it."
The group is so successful there are now two sessions, on top of the 'New Parish Pals' after school club for children with additional support needs.
Born and brought up in the town, Pamela has six children - Jack, 18, Josh, 16, Emily, 14, Erin, 10, Amy, 3, and two-year-old Isla.
Since leaving Port Glasgow High, Pamela has always worked in the care sector, looking after the elderly in care homes, and in recent years as a devoted full time mum.
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Pamela had a very happy upbringing, with mum Karen, dad Stuart and her younger brother Andrew.
She grew up in Mid Avenue, attending Boglestone Primary and then Port Glasgow High.
"Port Glasgow is home," she said. "It is where I want to be.
"I wouldn't live anywhere else. I am proud of where I come from.
"Too often all we hear about is the high levels of deprivation, drugs death. But Port Glasgow isn't about that.
"Port Glasgow is about family and community. It is a tight knit community. We look after each other and everyone knows everyone."
It's that sense of community that led to Pamela taking on a role as a community councillor when the decision was made to revive the Port Glasgow Community Council.
She said: "It was in conversations at church we realised that there was a need for the community council. I thought 'let's do it!'.
"I think the new community council will help make a difference and give residents a voice."
In the first few months, the community council is set to take on accessibility for the disabled and elderly, with the need for more lowered kerbs high on their list.
She added: "It is a really big problem for people and it is brought up time and again.
"I think when you are a mum and you have children in wheelchairs, access is such a huge barrier for getting about.
"Until you are in the situation you don't always understand. It is a huge issue for residents
"We are also looking at play parks for children in our area."
Pamela links closely with parent groups, including the ASN Parent and Carer Group Inverclyde, representing children with additional support needs through her voluntary work, which resulted in the ASN after school club being set up.
She said: "I understand and have faced the same barriers.
"I think it is getting better. There is more awareness than even when my children were young.
"You just have to get on with it and face everything as it comes. I think it has always been very difficult, and it can be isolating when you have children with additional support needs."
Pamela's oldest son Jack, who went to Port Glasgow High, is now thriving at West College Scotland, where he is a student in supported learning and is completing a course which gives him work and life skills.
"West College Scotland learners' development are brilliant," she said, "and he is also supported by Turning Point Scotland, who are amazing.
"Emily is in third year at Port Glasgow High and she is doing great."
Pamela says church and her faith has been a thread throughout.
Four years ago Pamela found happiness when she married husband Ian, aged 31, who is from Oban, after meeting on a night out.
Together they joined the Port Glasgow New Parish, first online during the pandemic and then in person, and have stayed ever since.
"Ian loves Port Glasgow," Pamela said. "He is a joiner and has his own business. He has also found himself a handy man at the church!
"I just felt this church was the right fit for me. It is so welcoming and is where we belong."
The family are right at the heart of church life ,with little Amy and Isla at the toddlers group.
Ten-year-old Erin is following in her mum's footsteps with her work raising money for the Church Angels food bank.
She is also in the Riverside Youth Band, which is based in the church.
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