AN amazing award winning nurse, forced to retire because of a rare genetic disease, still helps others.

Paulene Scott, who suffers from degenerative neurofibromatosis type 11 and acoustic neuroma, faces the prospect of total deafness with great fortitude.

Despite undergoing 33 operations, and presently recovering from a broken back sustained in a cycling fall, she runs the north west branch of the British Acoustic Neuroma Association.

Last weekend she joined members at the largest gathering of patients at an event to celebrate the charity's 10th anniversary in Birmingham.

The 58-years-old spinster works hard helping other victims of the two rare conditions one which can cause deafness, blindness, vocal chord and spinal lesions and could ultimately result in death.

Paulene, of Grenaby Avenue, Hindley Green, launched the NW branch of BANA from her home in 1996. It has grown from a start with six members to over 100 hailing from the north, Wales and Liverpool.

And she wants anyone suffering from the rare tumours to be aware that there is help available for them through the association.

She organises top speakers to address group meetings.

Paulene spends her spare time between hospital appointments writing and communicating by e-mail with fellow sufferers.

She also does voluntary work and is a keen traveller, having visited locations from Penang to Barbados.

She said: "I consider myself fortunate compared to fellow sufferers. We want anyone with acoustic neuroma to know that we are here to offer help and support to them, they don't have to suffer alone."

Tickets for the anniversary event at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham, are free to members and a guest, contact the BANA office on 0800 652 3143 or e-mail bana@brclick.com

Paulene is on 01942 523369.