Woman falls in love with man 40 years her senior while working as his carer

A woman has revealed how she fell in love with her patient 40 years her senior while working as his carer.

Donna Brickell, 40, says she and Eric Morgan, 80, are in love and she's the happiest she's ever been.

She claims it was love at first sight when she met Eric, who is paralysed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair.

The pair, both from Neath Port Talbot, Wales, dated for one month before Donna's employer found out and she was forced to quit her job.

Donna says her ex husband told her she 'made him feel sick' when he found out.

And she says people have confusedly thought Eric is her father.

Despite this, the newly engaged couple don't care what people think about their relationship and insist they are meant for each other.

The mum-of-three says: "Before I met Eric I never dreamt of dating someone his age, especially as I'm only 40.

"But when I saw his gorgeous face and we got chatting, we had an instant connection.

"Eric has taught me that age truly is just a number."

In March 2017 Donna pursued her life long dream of being a carer for the elderly.

During the next 11 months, she looked after pensioners in their homes.

Then, in February 2018, she was assigned to Eric, a retired English studies lecturer, who had been paralysed for 10 years after a car accident.

Donna, a carer, says: "When I first visited Eric at his house, he was sat in his wheelchair and smiled at me.

"He had lovely silver hair, gorgeous eyes and broad shoulders.

"I couldn't believe it, but I really fancied him.

"We began nattering about our lives and it turned out we both loved theatre and musicals.

"The entire day Eric cracked jokes and I was in tears of laughter.

"When my shift finished I was so upset to leave him."

Donna, who was married at the time, had been having difficulties with her now ex husband.

Although they lived together, they considered themselves as separated.

Donna says: "My ex and I, who I was married to for 20 years, were unhappy for a long time, but we hadn't been able to afford to live separately at that time.

"So we just kept out of each other's way.

"I stayed there mainly to be with our three sons, who I didn't want to hurt by breaking the family up.

"Whenever I got home from seeing Eric, I couldn't stop talking about him to everyone."

A month after meeting Eric, Donna continued to care for him.

She cooked his dinners, cleaned his house and bathed him.

Donna says: "Eric always made me giggle and I just loved being around him.

"My feelings for him grew stronger each time we met and I became so smitten.

"After one month, I began visiting him during out of work hours.

"I knew it was wrong and I did worry about losing my job, but I'd fallen for him."

The following month, in April 2018, Donna and Eric admitted they loved each other.

The pair began to date, despite being concerned about Donna's employer's and family's reaction to their unusual union.

Donna says: "I hadn't actually asked Eric how old he was by this point, but I assumed he was around 60.

"Then one day I had his patient file put on my desk at work and saw his date of birth.

"I discovered we actually had a 40-year age gap, I couldn't believe it.

"I was only shocked because Eric looked so good for his age.

"I refused to let it get to me, I loved Eric for who he was, not a silly number."

The following month, in May, Donna's work discovered the couple's relationship.

Donna says: "My boss called me into the office and told me someone had spotted Eric and I together during out of work hours.

"I had no choice but to come clean to her.

"They took disciplinary action against me, and told me I couldn't see Eric any more.

"I loved him too much to let him go, so I had no choice but to choose him over my career that I'd worked so hard for.

"So I quit my job.

"Heartbroken, I drove straight home and came clean to my family too.

"My ex husband was disgusted and told me I made him feel sick, but I didn't care.

"Eric was the kindest and most caring man I'd ever met."

The following day, Donna moved in with Eric.

Her three sons stayed with their dad and Donna visited them every day.

Six months later, one of Donna's sons moved in with Donna and Eric.

Donna says: "After I moved in, people began confusing Eric for my father.

"Once I was wheeling Eric out of the flat when a neighbour appeared.

"She asked if Eric was my dad and I told her he was my partner.

"She went bright red! I didn't mind as I knew it was an honest mistake.

"Even doctors made the same mistake when I took Eric for check-ups.

"We always laugh it off.

"Now, Eric and I have been together for nearly two years and we recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

"Eric proposed to me on my birthday a few months later and now we can't wait to get married.

"I worry every day about how long I have left with Eric.

"But I try not to think about it.

"I may have found love in the most unusual way, but I'm the happiest I've ever been."