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Angie's story
Angie's story
“Having regular breaks from caring has changed my life, it was my salvation……
”
Angie looks after her daughter Joanne who has learning disabilities. Before Joanne was born, Angie worked at the Daily Mail for a famous gossip columnist. Angie’s life is very demanding and can be very stressful.
“Joanne needs 24/7 care and support. When she was younger Joanne took over my life. Even now I can’t have a life where I can say ‘yes’ straight away. My life has to fit in with Joanne’s routine. She gets very distressed and anxious if her life doesn’t follow a regular pattern."
Support for Joanne
Joanne receives several services to help her have a regular a life as possible:
“Joanne goes to the Causeway Centre for people with learning disabilities during the week. There she gets involved in various social activities including helping out with food preparation and goes on a ramble every Friday, which she loves. She also benefits from physiotherapy treatment and the occupational therapists have helped her too."
“A couple of times a week Joanne also goes to Stud Farm which is supported by Kingston MENCAP. At the Farm Joanne helps out with potting up plants and painting bird tables. Quite a lot of weekends she stays at Chamberlain Way to give me a break and her change."
Caring for carers
To keep Angie going in her caring role she receives support in her own right:
“I have regular breaks (respite care) from looking after Joanne. These breaks have changed my life, they are my salvation, they give me a social life and allow me to get involved with lots of things. I can now go out, have holidays, and do volunteering work including being involved with the Brownies. In the early days I supported Joanne to go to Brownies so she could be with other non-disabled children and have a normal life. That’s how I got involved."
“I would not have met my partner without having these breaks. Having a regular break also means I can mix with adult company and not be in the house all the time."
“Kingston Carers Network have helped me a lot too. They arranged a holiday in Italy for me in 2001. It was the first time I’d been on holiday abroad for 30 years. I also get the MENCAP newsletter which is very helpful as well.
“Through the Handyperson scheme I got my living room redecorated. They did a 100% professional job."
“I have a Blue Badge which means I can go food shopping in the car with Joanne and park close to the shops."
“Direct Payments (money instead of a service) helped me to buy a washing machine and some relaxation therapy sessions which were really helpful for my back problem after many years lifting and carrying Joanne."
“Kingston Council is one of the best for services, especially for disabled people. I am very lucky to be living here and would think really hard before moving out.
The future
“Joanne is waiting to go into a care home where she can be with other people of her age. I will still see her a lot but it will still be hard for me and her, but I think it’s for the best."
“When Joanne moves into a care home I will try and get a part time job. I have done some IT training and with my volunteering work experience I hope I can find something.”