Hello :)

[Yochana]

Hello!

I've been registered for a while but not really had the guts to start posting. I figure I'll give it a go and say hi.

I'm 29 and a full-time PhD student as well as caring for my best friend full-time. My friend has very severe M.E. and is completely bedbound with it. It's a frustrating illness because it's so misunderstood and it's so much more complex than people often assume.

I wish that the government would recognise that it is possible to be in full-time education and caring full time. I've been caring for my friend for about 8 years now and during that time I've been at university full-time getting my undergraduate masters degree. Throughout the whole time I've been at uni, I've not been able to get carer's allowance because although I'm caring more than 35 hrs a week, I've been in full time education. I wish the government would recognise that carers don't stop working at 5pm or work (as a carer) a typical 8 hour day. I'm really struggling financially. I'm not sure if anyone has any advice in that situation?

Anyway...

I'm not really sure what else to say except hi and looking forward to hopefully getting to know some of you!

Yochana

[Tracey]

Hello.

Nice to have you with us.

Have no advice but wanted to welcome you to the forum.

Tracey x

[Yochana]

Thanks for the welcome Tracey.

[no1mum]

Hiya and a warm welcome to the forum.

[Lucy Carers UK]

Hi Yochana,

Glad you've decided to join in and post

Have you tried calling our Adviceline? They may have some suggestions - contact details and more info here: http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice ... dvice-line

Keep us updated with how you're getting on.

Lucy

[Yochana]

Thanks no1mum!

Hi Lucy Thanks for the link. I haven't called your adviceline, but have had advice from my friends benefits advocate person and have spoken to people on careline. It just seems hopeless. I don't understand why someone can't claim carer's allowance if they're in full-time education. I guess they think it's not possible to do both, but it is. I'm up half of the night. I'm caring from the moment I get up (sometimes even before I get up because I'm constantly "on call") until I go to uni and then as soon as I get home until I go to bed at around 3 or 4am. I also work from home a lot so I can fit my studies in around my caring role. It's possible. Hard but possible. I just wish the government would recognise that people don't fit into their boxes. There's no-one else to take over. My friend's mother has an incurable cancer so her parents are occupied enough with that.

I feel very alone and as if my needs don't matter. I've been a carer since I was 2 years old and my health is suffering significantly, and I struggle to pay my rent never mind paying for food. I won a scholarship for my PhD and that pays my fees and gives me a small amount to live on, but it's not enough to live on and obviously I can't get a job to supplement my scholarship. I don't want to have to give up my PhD - I have fought so so so hard to get this far. I have my own health conditions including Post-traumatic stress disorder, and I just feel invisible.

I hope I'm not saying too much... I'm relieved to find other carers who might understand!

[no1mum]

We understand, please talk as much as you need to.

[michael parker]

Hi and welcome to the Forum.Hope you find it useful and fun.

[Yochana]

thanks no1mum

Hi Michael, thanks - I hope so too!

[crocus]

I just wish the government would recognise that people don't fit into their boxes. ..................I feel very alone and as if my needs don't matter.

I think we all know that one yochana. The inadequacy of the carers allowance big bugbear.