Carers Strategy...

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

This time, it was around their new Carers Strategy.
I was speaking to a group of social work managers and office bearers about good practice and good news surrounding our personalisation care package. I shared a bit about my caring role and both Coo and I's SDS journey so far - it's been a bit of a long and winding road!

I actually directed them here to the blog! I told them about the issues we had while setting up our current care package and that when we finally finished the RAS (resources allocation system), we honestly felt we had reached RAS enlightenment!

My talk went down well and I hope having Carers on board at these strategy meetings will make it all real for the social workers and councillors involved in such an important decision making process.

I honestly feel, just as I do with personalisation and SDS, the Carers Strategy if developed appropriately, has the potential to offer real and vital changes for Carers and I guess that's why, I put myself out there when I can and kinda tell the people making the decisions just how it really is for Carers!

I find Case Studies tend to make more of an impact and don't come across as just words and if you have Carer involvement in there right at the start when they're writing the strategies in the first place.. all the better!

Keep strong and if you have the opportunity to influence the decision makers -  just go for it and tell them how it is!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Holiday choices...

Hi guys, It's been sunny weather here for a few days!

It's made such a difference to the mood in the house!
I often find this is the case, grey days make for even greyer moods and a wee drop of sunshine seems to raise the spirits and lighten the load a little so...long may it continue! lol

Our SDS - self directed support or personalisation care package - what a label! It's really the new system that gives us some control with Coo's care and how his budget is spent and it seems to be opening up some new possibilites for us!

For the first time in years it could be possible for us to access some travel again! We've not been abroad in many years as it was just too expensive with Coo's unstable seizures, insurance was always very expensive, if they'd quote at all!
Sometimes travel insurance cost more than all the other holiday expenses put together! Usually this meant we just couldn't afford to go so we'd just stay at home in the U.K instead.

***It seems things are about to change for us!

With some support, plus a wee friendly push from our social work friend to try new experiences, added to the fact, we managed to find a medical insurance company who would insure Coo for less than the usual inflated rates, means...we've decided to spread our wings again and try a few days in Europe! Woo hoo!

I'm not sure where exactly we'll go yet but it'll be somewhere within Europe that's for sure. That way it's only a short flight and a lot easier for Coo. I guess the next step is to have a wee look around and see where we'd like to visit!
It's exciting times well for me anyways!
I guess some people take things like holidays and travel as run of the mill and expected but like most Carers, I view it very differently as a bit of a luxury and something to be prized!

I was really worried about switching to this new SDS sysem for our care package. I just didn't want to risk what we already had and maybe be worse off, not so much financially we'd have managed somehow but being left with less support than before was the real worry for us!

I'm so glad we stuck with all the SDS assessment hassles and those RAS (resource allocation system) teething troubles as it's proving to be a very positive experience! For the first time, in a long while, I honestly think our quality of life is improving and that's something I think we both had kinda given up hope on!

If the option of Self Directed Support comes your way, don't worry and stress about it, give it a try, it's really working well for us!

Happy days and sunshiney thoughts,
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Review news at last...

Hi Guys, the care package review is now done too so.... 
a great big woo hoo!

It's really a huge sigh of relief all around!
SDS - Self Directed Support- is a new system and we were a bit worried that, in the end, it wouldn't deliver the services we need. To be honest, I was beginning to think this review was stuck in reverse gear, then all of a sudden, it's done and dusted at last!

Coo and I can let go of all those worries about finance, safe in the knowledge the funding is here now to cover all the care costs and outcomes for the coming year.
We know, we are lucky to have such a supportive local authority that understands the issues, struggles and  really, the demands there are, dealing long term with such a difficult disability and we truly appreciate all the support they have given us.
God alone knows how we'd fare without it -  I still remember those dark days when Coo and I struggled on alone. Trust me, it was not a happy time for either of us that's for sure!

I'm just glad it's over and we can confidently move on now.

The forcast this week is for some sunshine and now, with this resolved, I'm sure I can forcast some sunshiney thoughts for us too!  lol
I'm feeling positive things are improving for Coo and I!
Happy Days!

I sure hope you're having some sunshiney thoughts where you are too and if you're stuck in review? Don't give up hope, sometimes things do work out for the best!
Keep strong,
(((hugs)))
Maz x

Enlightenment at last the RAS is over...

Hi guys, this time we have reached RAS enlightenment! and...
Thank goodness for that!

The Social Services resources allocation system or RAS for short, has calculated an estimated budget for Coo's care package. Now we just need the local authority to agree the funding and then? Well, we should be good to go! Woo hoo!

Coo is less stressed this week as the care plan review is nearing the final stages...all going well that is! It's been a long and difficult road at times but I think we are winning and I'm hopeful the budget will be approved and we can all start to move on.

It's a worry when things are under review as there's always the potential it will all go wrong and we won't get the funding to buy the care Coo and I need to cope with things. I have to say, in the past, we have been lucky, usually we don't have too many problems and the care plan is agreed pretty quickly. This time it's a little different as we've been moving onto a different system all together! It's also fair to say, it's not been without it's challenges either and at times we've both struggled.

I just hope all the additional stress and struggle has been worth it and this new system delivers a better quality of life for us both so fingers crossed and here's hoping!

We're coping ok and I hope your coping where you are too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

On the up? I sure hope so...

Hi guys, things are back on the up again! Well, I hope they are!

Those nasty mood-swings are gone and things are getting back to normal, well, normal for us anyways and - thank God for that!
We've had a few days away for a wee change of scene - I thought it would be good for us so...we went to visit Looby and Steven.

I think spending some time with Looby and wee Jessica has done us both some good - she's a wee cracker! She's always smiling and I think it's infectious as when we're with her, she definately makes Coo and I smile too! lol

Things maybe on the up with our social services issues too. I really hope so! It's been a long and winding road with this care-package review, that's for sure!

It looks like we may, at last be, making some headway with this and I'm so relieved. Coo's been totally stressed throughout this process, he's not coped well and if I'm honest, I've not found it easy either so I'm kinda hoping it is coming to an end and sooner rather than later!

If things work out as planned, with this new system, we will both have a better quality of life and I guess that's why I've stuck with it and tried to keep Coo positive about things.

I really hope it works out and the additional hassle has been worth it! and if things don't go to plan?
Well...I think, we'll stay positive for now and just cross that bridge when we come to it!

I think things must be on the up right enough! The moods are gone, the care-package seems on the last leg and best of all? The sun has made a welcome return today! Yeah

Don't you find everything that little bit easier when the sun shines? I know I do so let's hope it stays with us for wee while!      

Happy Days!
I hope the sun's shinning for you too!
(((hugs)))
Maz x

RAS Enlightened? err no...not yet!

Hi Guys - we have not reached RAS enlightenment after all!
Our journey has stalled this week!

It seems there's a problem with the way our budget has been calculated and it'll have to be fixed before we move on - a cause for worry? Mmm...not sure!

Unfortunately, Coo is back in stress-city!

He's worryied the budget will come back now at a lower level, and we won't be able to pay for the care we need! and...
How do I feel?
Well, I just hope the care budget doesn't reduce by too much, because as requested, I've already started to plan for the required care needs and outcomes for the coming year!

Let's hope God's with us and it's only a small hic-up and not a full blown review of things yet again!

Here's hoping it all works out, surely we couldn't be that unlucky...Could we? Anyway, our local authority are meeting to discuss things tomorrow so...fingers crossed!

Hope you're living stress free today where you are!
Well, as stress-free as you can be!
(((hugs)))
Maz x