New to forum

[Kiwigaz]

Hello to all and a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.
I recently joined on here and not sure what to say, but here goes.
I care for my mother who is turning 83 in a few months. She is blind in one eye and can't walk very far.
I had until January been working full time however the job I was doing gave me Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and ended up having the operation on both hands. Whilst trying to recover (which hasn't been easy as I ended with having problems), I was also looking after my mother at home. After months of seeing doctors and specialists, I was still having problems but had to go for a medical assessment and the upshot of this was, that because I had been looking after my mother whilst recovering I was able to work and they cut off my benefit.
So now I am my mothers full time carer, I gave up my job and it has been 11 months without a break.
I am fast learning how to be tolerant, patient and a non person. The funny thing is that now that I am on a benefit, so called friends have dropped me like the proverbial and with no close family in this country am now on my own to cope with the daily dealings of being a carer.
Hope I haven't bored you all, but just wanted to get that one off my chest lol.

[pamr1]

welcome to the forum Kiwigaz
no of course you have not bored us, lovely to have you on board.
i hope you enjoy posting on the forum, we are a lovely bunch and you will make lots of virtual friends i am sure. x

[Jimbo]

Welcome to the Forum Kiwigaz, I hope you enjoy the banter, fun and non judgemental support, you will find hear in abundance xx

[india77]

Hello and welcome Kiwigaz

I can identify with the 'friend' situation very well indeed!

[bowlingbun]

Hi Kiwigaz, welcome to the forum. I also care for my mum part time, and son part time. It's important to get regular time off from caring to stay sane, even if it's just a couple of hours a week. Has mum had a needs assessment from social services, and you a carer's assessment? Carers UK have their own helpline, and they will be pleased to do a benefits check for you and mum. I was £50 a week better off after talking to them, so I always urge everyone to think about ringing them. After all, you can't apply for something if you don't know it exists.

[Anne001]

Hello, Kiwigaz,

Welcome to the Forum and Merry Christmas to you too. The good news is that now you have found us, you are most certainly not alone .

I too care for an elderly mum, also blind in one eye, also with mobility problems, and now it seems dementia - but that is another story.

As Bowlingbun says, do you get any support from Social Services? Through them, you can perhaps get careworkers coming in to give you a break, or access to day centres to give mum one ... Probably worth a try, especially as, like me, you don't have much support if you are ill.

Have a look round the Forum but be warned, it's addictive,
Anne
x

[Myrtle]

Of course we're not bored!
Welcome

[phoebe]

Hello, kiwigaz, you will find plenty of support here, and of course you haven't bored us.

I am fast learning how to be tolerant, patient and a non person. The funny thing is that now that I am on a benefit, so called friends have dropped me like the proverbial

I can identify with the above, for the next few weeks I am working full time, then will be on benefits and working sats in order to care for my hubby who has asbestosis, copd and arthritis, and i am now discovering who are my genuine friends and who are not
The only thing i disagree with is you are most certainly not a "non person"!!! you are still very much yourself
phoebe x