Update: Coo's foot & The Carers Advisory Group...

Hi guys, it's been a bit of  a mixed bag here this week, both busy and quiet at home time too!

Coo's foot...

Well, it's still broken - no surprises there!
I'm getting a bit concerned though as it's not much better! The problem is, he can't rest it up any as every time he has a seizure, his foot gets jerked around again and it's not getting a chance to heal!
I've decided to contact our GP for some advice and just see if anything can be done to help the healing process along, I'm not sure what if anything can be done but...I guess we will see!

Carers Advisory Group...
I've been out again with my Local Authority this week as part of their new Carers Advisory Group. I decided to be involved with this group as their new 'Carers Strategy' is a good document.
The Strategy has the potential to make things a whole lot better for Carers in our area and I really feel the best way to ensure the policy is delivered is for experienced Carers to be involved from the off and it was a successful meeting!

Questions raised by my own Carers group (The Three Towns Carers), were submitted prior to the meeting, made it onto the agenda and were discussed on the day. - result!

I honestly feel, only by working together, can we truly improve things for Carers and the people they care for and I'm pleased to report the Carers Advisory Group has made a good start!
It's good for Carers to work with and influence policy where they can, especially if by doing so they can help other Carers along the way!

Stay strong guys,
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Caring, Harping, Strategies & ATOS...

Hi guys, after all the rushing about last week, it's been so quiet here the last few days!

Coo's been poorly again so we've been mostly at home and after all the busy-ness of last week that's probably not a bad thing and it's given me time to catch my breath, regroup and chill for a bit! I did manage to get out to my wee Carer meeting on Monday though!
 Looby came to keep Coo company and I headed out for a wee chat and a cuppa with my 3 Towns Carers.
It's always good to spend time with other Carers no matter how tired you are!
It gives me a wee bit of a boost being with others who know how it really is, they don't judge but they do offer solutions and a bit of laugh along the way too!

While I've been home, I've taken some time out harping!
I tend to reach for my harp when I'm feeling a bit tired or even a bit over-whelmed and need a wee boost and it usually does the trick!
I  love music and I think it's therapeutic but who knows, all I can say is...it sure works for me!

Carers Advisory Group...

I'm busy with a new group later this week.
It's with my Local Authority, NHS and other partners and I agreed to be part of this one as their Carer Strategy is a good one and I really feel having experienced Carers involved from the off, is the best way to ensure everything offered in the new Strategy is actually delivered!

ATOS...

With Coo being poorly, sadly, I didn't make it up to Glasgow this week for the latest Demo. against ATOS Healthcare.
This company has cost us (and many other families with disabilities!) many a sleepless night! We stressed majorly over their fiasco surrounding Coo's on and off need to travel for assessment with them. One minute he was to go and another it was not necessary, they just couldn't make their mind up. In the end it got sorted but not without a lot of stress, worry and anxiety and those are words this company seems to generate on a national scale!

I've met news that ATOS want an early exit from their  DWP work capability assessments contract, with mixed emotions. 
Who knows, maybe another company will do better but let's be clear ATOS are not the only ones to blame for this fiasco - DWP's flawed policy is the real villain of the piece and I'm afraid that battle is very far from over!

We live to fight another day!
Stay strong my friends,
(((hugs)))
Maz x

My Carers Rights Day, Strategy, Nails & Networking...

Hi guys, my Carers Rights Day went really well and I had some fun too!

Luckily I had respite arranged for the day so I didn't need to do the usual crash and grab, top speed and rushed affair so could relax and enjoy things, in fact the whole day had a leisurely feel to it for a change!

I got over to the Carers Centre (it's a few towns away!) for ten o'clock and started the day with a nail job and not the usual kind for me (hammer, usually followed with sore fingers!) but the shiny, pretty fingernail type! While the nail lady shaped and painted them pretty, I had time for a wee think!
It's a long while since I made the time and had such a simple thing done for me. For some reason I got quite a kick out of it, I didn't think I would and I nearly didn't book a slot at all but I'm so glad I changed my mind - I felt really great afterwards!

It's so easy to just keep putting yourself last in the 'need to do list' and I just realised, I do it all the time! For Carers, there's always a big pull on your time and emotions, it's easy to forget to make time for you!
I mean, I could have used some respite hours and booked a pampering slot a fair few times over the last year but appointments, meetings, general busy-ness and Carer-life tasks, kinda got in the way!
so...
I've decided I need to try a bit harder!

It was Carers Rights Day so I'd more in mind than nice nails and lunch! There was a legal advisor on hand from the local lawyers office with some free advice so I had a meeting to at last begin the POA (Power of Attorney) process and never one to miss a chance to network and push Carer issues where I can! I managed to raise some concerns with both the Council's Carer Champion and head of Social Services! They're both nice guys who are interested and want to help Carers and people with disabilities so I'm confident they'll take the issues  forward so...watch this space!
Last and definitely not least...
Our Local Authority launched the Carers Strategy!

This is the strategy, written with the input and full involvement of Carers from our local area. Carers were involved, from the initial direction this document would take, right through the process and through the Carers Strategy Group, hopefully to the successful delivery of the services it holds!
It's a good strategy for Carers, it's in language people can easily understand but more importantly it offers good support and information! Will it be successful? Will it deliver? We will see!

So what were the day's highlights?

*I had some pampering and felt better for the experience!


*I raised issues with those in a position to address them and...I'll chase down answers too! lol

*Our Carers Strategy launched! That's the one other Carer friends and I helped shape!

 All in all, I had a good Carers Rights Day this year!
Hope you managed a wee time out too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Carers speak out & influence...

Hi guys, I've been busy!
I've been out visiting with my Local Authority again!

It was the launch of the new Carers Strategy Consultation and I was asked to speak at the event about Carers and support.
Councillor Dickson (a friend to Carers!), chaired the event and there were four speakers.

The head of Social Services Iona Colvin, Tommy Whitelaw -whom I know as TommyNTour!- the new Carers Champion for North Ayrshire Councillor Robert Steel and...me!

I spoke about the main issues as I see them, the importance of Carers having access to information and support and how we achieve that locally with our Carer group also the importance of online communities where the information is at your fingertips!

The other speakers gave an overview of the Carers strategy and we welcomed the new Carer Champion too. I'm glad we now have a 'go to' person to address Carers issues and concerns - that can only be a good thing!

Tommy on Tour!
Tommy is an inspirational speaker!
He's very passionate and shares so much of his Carer experience.
The triumphs and challenges almost all Carers experience on their own personal Carer journey - thank you for sharing!

It was a good event but more importantly, it's a really good strategy for Carers and that's really what we all want.

I look forward to building on and working together in partnership to achieve the aims of the new strategy so... 

If you get the chance to influence the decision makers...grab it!
Lets build a better life for Carers!

(((hugs)))

Maz x