Louise Amos did more than open a new business this week.

The 39-year-old Maryport woman, who struggles with pain and has been beset by personal tragedy, proved, by opening the town’s newest salon that she shares the courage of her beloved grandfather, war veteran Kenny Patterson.

For Louise most days are a challenge and opening the business is just one more that she is determined to face and to make a success of.

Louise suffers from lupus, a painful disease that affects the joints and connective tissue.

She was diagnosed shortly after her father died suddenly on his 55th birthday two years ago.

Prior to that she had been told she had rheumatoid arthritis.

She is married with three young sons, two of whom have autism and one with ADHD.

In recent years she has also cared for her grandfather.

She said: "“He was like another father to me. I adored him. His death has affected me a lot."

He fought in the Battle of Arnhem and became a prisoner-of-war. 

He died earlier this year, leaving his granddaughter distraught.

On top of that her uncle, who was primary carer for Kenny and wife Joyce, has fallen ill and Joyce has gone to Scotland where Louise’s mother now lives.

In spite of the ongoing challenges of daily life, Louise is looking forward to a new chapter in her life.

She opened her business this week in Curzon Street at the back of Colleen’s Hair Salon.

The new venture will give her the opportunity to put her training into practice once more.

As well as the traditional range of beauty treatments, she will also do reflexology, massage and hot stone massage, and paraffin waxing.

All those extras are designed to help people with tension or pain – something she knows all about.

Louise has been advised by doctors to open only three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and not to push herself too hard.

She added: "I know that I shouldn’t push myself. I know that sometimes getting out of bed in the morning is a challenge in itself.

"But I am really looking forward to this venture. It is something I really want to do."