Thank you for the replies. It's a shame about those tables as that combination seems the cheapest option. The kitchen is now our only communal area so it needs to be multi-functional. The sitting room is now my bedroom so the kitchen table and chairs need to be practical enough for the day to day ne...

Our home has recently undergone extensive alterations to make it more wheelchair friendly. Due to the through floor lift coming down into the kitchen I am short on space. I have been looking at new dining tables and I like this one - http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Aspect-Design- ... H1293.html But would a...

<t>I know you can't split child benefit but you can split child tax credit. DLA I am not so sure about. <br/> In a lot of situations parents can't work due the caring role and therefore the DLA gets spent keeping a roof over their heads, this may be the case for the mother?<br/> Surely the guy also ...

I had a call this afternoon to say I have the job and have been down and signed a contract for 22.5 hours a week. It is minimum wage so I am paying the childminder more than I earn. I have not even begun to think of how I am going to pay the bills and mortgage. http://www.carersuk.org/images/icon_sa...

<t>I am a student nurse but am taking a break (again) from my studies as of the end of this month. My husband has been in hospital since the beinning of April and it's still not looking as though he will be coming home anytime soon. <br/> My son has a lot of health needs due to being born 4 months e...

If anyone wants to know more about what continuing healthcare is there is a good publication available to download free -

http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/ ... ealthcare/

(Don't be put off by the 'learning disabilities' bit there, their publication is pretty much generic)

<t>The British Lung Foundation have a lot of info about the practicalities of home oxygen use. They say this about the insurance - <br/> <br/> <br/> [quote]Home and car<br/> <br/> You should inform your insurance company if]<br/> <br/> My son was oxygen dependant via a tracheostomy, we had several l...

If you have a child or young person who is dependant on medical technology or with complex health needs this is a fab resource - it can be downloaded free from - http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/ ... w=Standard It covers the following topics: For your son/daughter: Circles of support Person ce...

Hi there,

I was wondering if your wife may be able to come up with a sort of advance directive so you know what her wishes are when when she becomes ill.
Perhaps there is one professional in particular she does trust?

Hi Staten, Sounds like you have plenty of cause to whinge - you've certainly had a rough time of things over the past few years. I know what you mean about trying to keep positive so as not to drive friends away... you end up discussing your own situation less and less, which in turn leaves you fee...