January Burns Day, Birthdays and Carer Business...

Hi guys, what happened to January? I turned around and it's just about gone!

Ok, what's been happening?
Well, Firstly...Happy Burns Day!

January 25th is a special day for us, not only is it Burns Day, it's Jessica's day too so...
Happy 3rd Birthday Jessie!
Not only did we have birthday cake and the usual treats but in honour of Rabbie sharing Jessie's special day (or the other way around!), we had haggis, tatties and neeps too -what a great wee family day!

Health...
Things are still a bit of a struggle here, Coo's just being Coo - loads of colds and sniffles about and loads of seizures too but on the whole he's fine and me? I had that wee health scare at Christmas, thankfully not a stroke after all (MRI was clear!) but I'm no further forward regarding what really happened and with around 18 weeks waiting time to see a Neurologist, I have a feeling this will run and run. Good thing is, the symptoms are no worse and we're coping so it's all fine!

Now to business...

It's good Carers are now involved through most practices and processes with our Local Authority. In fact it's a welcome change as it's not so long ago Carers were more or less told what services were available and had to try to make them work but...not anymore! From Carers Strategies, Advisory groups and support planning, we're involved and in the case of the SIB...we have a seat on the board! Changed days and that can only be a good thing!
Stay strong friends and keep fighting, we'll get there!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Hopes and Hello's to 2015...

Hi guys and....

I wonder what 2015 will hold for Carers, just what would your wish list be?

I have two things on my list this year -

 

*I'd like legislation to help Carers get the support they need!

 

Carers don't really ask for much, they'd just like to once in a while, be able to access things most people take for granted ever day - time to sleep, a wee while to themselves away from caring or maybe even some Respite, dare I say a proper break! and why shouldn't they have a little piece of life to themselves?

Carers and SDS...

It's apparent the dreaded post-code lottery still exists as some areas have embraced SDS (Self Directed Support) more than others and their Carers have benefited from the changes. Other area are still dragging their heels or are making only a half-hearted attempt at SDS and that's a shame as I've found being more in control of care, respite and generally having more of a say in planning and deciding just what care and support will work best for us, to been so very empowering!

 

The other thing on my wish list?

 

Please stop the current almighty 'media-fest' on the poor and vulnerable in our society!

It's all so unfair!

Nobody chooses to be ill, nobody decides one day to be disabled and nobody sure as heck says 'When I grow up, I'd like to be an unpaid Carer'. Well do they? No!!

Being a Carer and coping every day with issues most people would find challenging at best, is hard enough, without our media whipping up a hornets nest around benefits and those who claim them! All that 'strivers and scroungers' media rhetoric has really hurt us this year and it's all so unnecessary!

Carers are benefits claimants but we are not unemployed, we're far from it! Carers Allowance is the lowest benefit and a Carer must be caring 35+ hours every week to claim it!

Please think before you attach a label to another person, things are seldom as they seem!

We must stand together - I'm hoping for a more tolerant society and I think we'll only achieve it by truly sharing the facts and dispelling those nasty, hurtful media myths!

 

Stay strong my friends,

(((hugs)))

Maz x