What does caring mean to me? Looking out for friends and family, and stepping up when needs dictate. Keeping that person’s interests to the fore and trying to improve/maintain quality of life. Finding out about things and speaking to people you never knew existed. Sometimes not sticking to routine and what makes sense, but being impulsive, spontaneous and having a good belly-laugh, doing the unexpected, being around in good times and bad, a privileged and rich relationship.
My younger daughter has had longstanding health conditions beginning shortly after birth. Auto-immune conditions causing allergies and severe skin problems (who knew the skin is the biggest organ of the body?), complicated by a first presentation of Multiple Sclerosis at 18, with a full diagnosis in 2021, life has not been easy.
My Mum cared for many people in her long life, but for a number of years before her recent death, she reluctantly had to rely on others. Life was hard. I found myself caring across the generations.
Something to love, something to care for. Something to motivate my daughter to establish a routine and get out and socialise/ exercise and look forward to the day. Mona, the patterdale terrier, is a new addition in my daughter’s life. Amidst all the chaos of working from home, numerous health conditions and medical appointments – we’ve helped her add some puppy pandemonium. Might seem counter-intuitive, but adding something to the mix has really improved her quality of life.
We had fun and laughs making Easter bonnets together. I bought Mum a big crazy noisy dancing Easter chicken to amuse grandchildren, carers and visitors to the house, and Mum and her husband were happy to attend the Easter Party in their sheltered complex, regaled in appropriate attire. They went down a storm! Crafting might not have seemed top priority but the spin off was certainly worth it!
I don’t plan on saying more about my story, except to say it is often the little things which count – not only in improving the lives of those we care for, but in sustaining our own health and wellbeing as carers. Carers of East Lothian has helped me remember that, and since involvement, I have attended a few craft groups, resumed swimming most weeks, and remembered to follow up niggling health issues with my GP. Phew!
