Carers and Sunshiney days...

Hi guys and...Happy Easter!
Hope you got...a chocolate egg, a wee plant or a present with a big bow or...whatever your passion is! lol
I'm so pleased as it's been a sunshine-y day - in fact it's been a sunshine-y weekend...woo hoo!

I love it, I've been pottering around in the garden and planting stuff! lol
Everything always seems that little bit brighter and easier when the sun pays a visit, don't you think? I honestly feel grey days make for greyer moods too so I'm enjoying the wee bit brightness while it lasts.

I managed to get out today!
A wee while with my wee Carer group. There's usually between twelve and fifteen of us and it really is a great support.

We're all Carers and at varying stages of our Carer journey, some (like me!), have been caring for many years, some are still new and things are raw and confusing and some are struggling with the loss of a loved one or the daunting prospect of residential care decisions on the horizon.
All so very different but all with a common bond - Caring!
I guess you can see why I feel so strongly about the benefits of good community groups. They are so very important and can be vital, especially for Carers. I'd be so very lost without the other Three Towns Carers now - we're a wee family of sorts! lol

If you are caring and struggling along on your own, reach out, try and find a wee local group - we are out there - honestly!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers, Sleep,Seizures and Support...

Hi guys, it's been a difficult week.
I'm afraid we are both struggling!
    Poorly...
Coo's broken foot still remains problematic and to cap it all, he has an increase in seizures yet again. There's been little in the way of rest here, it's all been a bit difficult. I phoned our doctor and arranged for some blood tests so we can at least check what the drug levels are like. Maybe this will shed some light on things or maybe he'll develop a cold - who knows, it's one of those, sit it out and wait and see kind of things!

I'm digging out my hard-hat and flak jacket again!

I'm really feeling it this week, I'm tired, feeling a bit low and I seem to have developed some swollen glands - joy - I hate being ill! I always say I don't have the time and just carry on regardless  and truth be told...I'm a bit of a rubbish patient too! lol 
I think most Carers are probably the same, we're used to being on the other side of the caring equation and a bout of illness ourselves? well, is just not part of the plan and definitely not cricket! lol
   Remedy...
I'll keep up with the 'take plenty hot fluids' advice, leave things a few days and just see if the pesky glands go down by themselves and if not? I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!
   SDS...
One thing's for sure, I'm so glad for our SDS (Self Directed Support) care package.
It means I can have some much needed rest - tonight is a sleep night for me and I can't wait! God alone knows how I coped when I was poorly before! Everything was so much more difficult to cope with and I sure don't want to be in that position again! When things are at their most difficult and not going well, having proper support in place makes all the difference in the world.

It's the difference between having a sense of struggle and drowning, to coping and surviving!


Sleep is such a small, normal, everyday thing but the lack of it, can be so very devastating and Carers feel and know this more than most! I'm so grateful I now have some proper rest, I only wish more Carers had the same - God willing!

Keep strong friends
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers and the Commonwealth Games...

Hi guys, I've had some news. Good news...in fact...great news!

It's been a really busy and successful period recently for our local Carers!
First there was the launch of CareNA our local community portal, that went on to win the COSLA Gold Award!
Next, 'The Three Towns Carers' won the Provost Civic Award for a Community Group - wee recap here...

So just what has happened now?

Four members of our Group (The Three Towns Carers), have been selected as Queens Relay Baton-bearers for this years Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - We'll bear the Queen's Baton (for a wee while!) as it travels on it's journey throughout North Ayrshire!

Quote: The Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will travel 190,000 km in 288 days and...four Carers from our wee group will be there doing their bit too!
Now, just how cool is that?
...we're tickled pink at the prospect!

There are lots of Carers out there, who still need help, support and friendship. We entered these events to raise the profile of 'Carers' in general and our wee group too and hopefully find some of those hidden Carers in our area.

I'm so excited about this latest development - can you tell? lol
I'll update as more news comes our way!
(((hugs)))
Maz x