Wednesday 20 May 2009

But seriously....

It's taken me a little while to return to this blogging lark. And I am here because I want to share an experience that was important to me for a myriad of reasons.

On the 5th of may, I stepped into the shoes and role of a full-time carer for a week, and I really wanted to share that experience with you all.

To let you understand, the care that was required is full on. The beautiful woman I had the honour of working with is just a few years younger than me. Wheelchair bound with spinbifida and epilepsy, she is an inspiration with a mean sense of humour and lungs that can't half bellow if you happen to piss her off.

So, what does caring mean when you work with a lady like this? It means you are constantly on guard and watching always for signs of an epileptic seizure. From the moment she is awake until the moment she goes to sleep. If one occurs medication has to be administered immediately without delay. Observation is crucial.

Then there are the personal care elements. I'm sure I don't have to go into detail. It is enough to know that when someone can't for themselves then someone has to do for them. Personal care therefore requires to be attended to regularly throughout the day. They have to be assisted to get up and to go to bed and everything inbetween.

There is also the responsibility of making sure that the correct medication is taken every morning and night. Lots of medications that requires help to take.

And then comes the personality. And boy does she know what she likes and what she wants to do and how things should be, and woe betide you should you leave a dish unwashed or a jacket in the wrong place:D Tideness and cleanliness are the order of every single day.

Squashed in amongst this is the time spent going out for lunch, shopping, listening to music, doing arts and crafts, cooking, going for walks. Choices are limited to the local area because (while in my care at least), there is no access to private cars only wheelchair acccessible taxis. The other infuriating thing is the complete lack of facilities that exist to cater for the personal needs of someone who is wheelchair bound when out and about. And don't get me started about shops that should be wheelchair accessible, but have their aisles so fully stocked and jam packed that you can't get the chair round. Hands up in the air, I have had a few choice words to say to employees even though I recognise it isn't their fault.

But I digress. What I would like for you is to imagine being in those shoes. Every single day, 365 days a year, year in and year out. Doing the personal care, dealing with seizures and always being alwert to them. Doing the daily medications and trying also to make sure that this wonderful woman has a quality of life that she deserves and is entitled to.

Why do I want you to imagine it? Because I did it for a week for a family whom I love and care for. They have been doing this for over thirty years. I am in awe of them. More so now than ever. They are amazing people that have my utmost respect and admiration. Do they deserve their one week holiday abroad in the sun once a year? You better believe they earn it in a way I never could every day that they do what they do with love and compassion.

Every single day

Every single day

Every single day

Think about it!