I have finally come down from the high that was last week.
Since then, Holly has been interviewed by the local paper and we, as a family, have all had our photo taken. The rest of the week was so busy that I had kind of forgotten about the article until my friend Angie sent me a text to say that Holly and Jack were on the front page!
After that, I kinda had to rush out and buy up quite a few copies. I got a bit emotional when I saw the picture of my two gorgeous kids. I am so so proud of them both. We have been through so much over the years and I had to stop myself from telling the lady at the checkout that it was my kids on the front page!
I was getting texts the whole day about the article from friends and professionals who deal with us as a family. My dad even stole the big sign from the newspaper stand later that night as a momento! Tee hee hee.
Things are very up in the air right now. The companies that won the contracts for respite, care in the home, special needs playgroups, clubs etc have now officially taken over. As per usual, nothing has gone smoothly and the transitions are causing a lot of worry on the part of parents, especially those with children who have Autism as change, however small, can affect them badly and usually it is the child and parents who suffer the consequences. One of my friends, Moira, is particularly worried as her child will not know any of the new staff at the playscheme her son attends and there is only one member of the old staff staying on.
I am also affected because I lose my Crossroads carer Marion, who has been with us for 9 years. Also the new company Allied do not think they can provide the same kind of care that Crossroads provided. Which leaves me with no care provider for the 6 hours a week that I use to spend with Holly. Luckily there is a two month transition for this so I have been told that I may have to go down the route of Direct Payments which I really don't want to do. I already have enough to do. This people is the plight of carers. Nothing is ever simple and straightforward. Energy that you don't have is used up worrying, fighting and searching out for the right kind of support, care, education etc etc. The list is endless!
Saying all that, I refuse to get down about this. I refuse to let it take the smile off my face. It's a new month, it's a new day and I'm feeling good.
Since then, Holly has been interviewed by the local paper and we, as a family, have all had our photo taken. The rest of the week was so busy that I had kind of forgotten about the article until my friend Angie sent me a text to say that Holly and Jack were on the front page!
After that, I kinda had to rush out and buy up quite a few copies. I got a bit emotional when I saw the picture of my two gorgeous kids. I am so so proud of them both. We have been through so much over the years and I had to stop myself from telling the lady at the checkout that it was my kids on the front page!
 |
| Front Page |
 |
| Page 4 Picture with Diz, Holly's best pal |
 |
| Page 10 Editor's comments |
 |
| She was even Quote of the Week |
I was getting texts the whole day about the article from friends and professionals who deal with us as a family. My dad even stole the big sign from the newspaper stand later that night as a momento! Tee hee hee.
Things are very up in the air right now. The companies that won the contracts for respite, care in the home, special needs playgroups, clubs etc have now officially taken over. As per usual, nothing has gone smoothly and the transitions are causing a lot of worry on the part of parents, especially those with children who have Autism as change, however small, can affect them badly and usually it is the child and parents who suffer the consequences. One of my friends, Moira, is particularly worried as her child will not know any of the new staff at the playscheme her son attends and there is only one member of the old staff staying on.
I am also affected because I lose my Crossroads carer Marion, who has been with us for 9 years. Also the new company Allied do not think they can provide the same kind of care that Crossroads provided. Which leaves me with no care provider for the 6 hours a week that I use to spend with Holly. Luckily there is a two month transition for this so I have been told that I may have to go down the route of Direct Payments which I really don't want to do. I already have enough to do. This people is the plight of carers. Nothing is ever simple and straightforward. Energy that you don't have is used up worrying, fighting and searching out for the right kind of support, care, education etc etc. The list is endless!
Saying all that, I refuse to get down about this. I refuse to let it take the smile off my face. It's a new month, it's a new day and I'm feeling good.
