Well yesterday I went on a taster session, at a daycentre about 8 miles from our gaff.
I was picked up at 10.15am and met a fellow wheelie on the bus. We chatted and i learned that she was 33 and had had a brain heamorrage and 2 strokes, 10 years a go. She is 43. cant do much for herself, but eat her meals. A lovely person.
Then at the club i was shown around. it is a lovely place, with modern furnishings and bright decor, plus all the equipment us folk need.
I met a Canadian man who instantly asked me if i was married!!! We had a good giggle and he sat beside me for lunch, it was only then that i realised he was blind! I helped him as his brussel sprouts made a beeline for the edge of his plate! And there was me, thinking he must`ve thought i looked attractive!!!
I was hoisted and turner transferred to loos and recliner chairs. Some transfers were more successful than others! But we giggled our way through any difficulties.
I met some other members. Their condtions ranged from, depression and lymphodoema, to strokes and spina bifida. Everyone made me so welcome.
Then I was given an information sheet and had the costs explained to me.
Well, as lovely as it all was, I wont be joining. At £57 for a half day and no funding to help, i simply cant afford it.
Most of the members have had their funding reduced and are going fewer times a week.
Oh Poll what a shame you can’t get funding!!! It sounds really lovely. Yes it IS a shame!!!
The more they reduce funding for these places, the more people will end up in NHS hospital beds… which is much more expensive! It just doesn’t make sense.
Can you ask the local council to help? write to your mp? Write them a heart jerker of a letter saying how much you need this and what benefits it would give you. Speak to your ms nurse to help. Dont give up there has to be funding for you somewhere.
I dont have an MS nurse. as i dont have MS now! Plus she has recently left the area and no-one has filled the vacancy.
I have asked the council for funding and it was turned down. I dont have the oomph to fight their decision. They have warned me that if I press for the funding, I could lose what I already get in Direct Payments. Their scare tactics worked! Lily livered I know, but as i do get out twice a week, they dont see my needs as desperate enough!
Hi Polly, are you aware of slef directed support lass, this is something that has been pushed certainly in Scotland but think it is a nationwide program. Ultimately I would push for the service. If they have assessed you as being in need of the service, they should be pushed to make it happen. I would suspect that you would have had a finanacial assessment and that there would be a maximum that you should pay.
In the not too distant past I ran a day centre for adults with mutiple learning and physical disabilities.
This gave their parents/carers a much needed break,especially those who also had others kids as they have such restricted time with their parents because of the care needs of their sibling.
It also gave the person who came to us a much needed break and allowed them to be themselves and often try new things. The centre was usually the only access they had to their friends and for most it was a major part of their life.
Our availabilty of large pieces of equipment like standing tables meant that permanently wheelchair dependant people who cant weightbear where able to stand and be face height with everyone else and have relief from permanently sitting or lying.
All of this is being torn away from the most vulnerable people in society,and the strain of caring 24/7 in the home means everyone is now at risk of breakdown.Many of the 5 day a week placements have been chipped away at and many are lucky to get one day a week now.
I can see some very disturbing stories being in the news all because of the consequences of these cuts.
i`ve come to the conclusion that as I already get out, the powers that be, dont see me as an urgent need for this kind of outlet.
I also never got as far as asking for respite funding towards a holiday.
My carers are willing to take me to Blackpool for a 3 night break. I am looking at The Bond hotel. It looks fab and has all the necessary equipment I need,
last year they were offering a 3 for 2 price deal. I have emailed them and asked if they are doing it again this year.
If we have to pay ourselves, a 3 for 2 would make it easier on our purses.