Mother to four and grandmother to 14, there's nothing Bibi Amsteins loves more than her family.
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"They are the most wonderful things in the world. You can be exhausted, you can be sick, and they still love you with their beautiful little smiles," said Amsteins.
For 22 years she's been the carer of her 40-year-old son Eddie, who in 1996 became paralysed.
It's people like Amsteins who local businessman Ben Riddles wants to recognise in his Unsung Heroes project.
Through his business Bloody Good Mattresses, he's gifting one brand new mattress to a deserving Canberran every month.
In December, Riddles took to Facebook to ask Canberrans to nominate someone they felt was generous and under-appreciated, someone who might be living "in a state of constant tiredness".
A few days later he had found his first unsung hero: Bibi Amsteins.
The other day he made a surprise visit to Amsteins' home in Florey - where's she's lived for 32 years - to gift her a queen mattress and"self care" vouchers from Astral Float Studio, Punjabi Hut and Personally Empowered hypnotherapy.
"You can tell she's the absolute glue that has held her family together. She does everything. I got the sense that she needed some more appreciation," Riddles said.
In true Amsteins style, the 67-year-old said she felt humbled.
"It was an incredible surprise. This sort of thing just doesn't happen often," said Amsteins.
She was nominated by her friend Tara, who noticed how Amsteins "always seems to do everything".
Amsteins is hoping other Canberrans will pay it forward.
"There are a lot of people in Canberra who deserve this, especially carers. Their lives are all about their loved ones," said Amsteins.
"Everyone deserves to be rewarded sometimes, even just with kind words."
Amsteins is currently draining her decades-old waterbed to make way for her "bloody good mattress."
After a busy Christmas with her big family, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
"I will be going to sleep the minute it's set up," she laughs.
To nominate someone, email to myunsunghero@bloodygoodmattresses.com.au and in 250 words or less, describe what makes this person your unsung hero. Use the subject line 'My Unsung Hero' and attach a photo of your nominee. Also get in touch if you have a business and would like to be involved.
