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I came to writing late, at nearly 40, during a gap between jobs – a period when I also studied theology. I hate having time on my hands so I thought: I’ll write that book I’ve always talked about – and I did! Since then I’ve written two novels, a humorous theological book, short stories and poetry.Now in my 50s, I find myself juggling time between home and my father’s house in Dorset. Caring for him and managing his care package and finances has added a new dimension to my life. Unable to juggle this with mainstream employment, I find myself with the opportunity to develop my writing and artwork alongside a caring role. My experience is that every difficult decision can also be a blessing if we are open to it…
August 27, 2015
I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day, about how illness can define us. It got me thinking about my own up-and-down mental health, and how it has shaped my life over the years. It also got me...
August 17, 2015
This morning, on my way to my Quaker Meeting, I rescued a child. Well, not exactly rescued, but I did respond to a distress call. I was walking down one of the lovely local leafy lanes (I just love all...
July 30, 2015
It is a strange thing, the ups and downs of a long-distance carer’s life. When your visits or phone calls are frequent, or the paperwork overwhelming, you’d give anything for a break. But every so often there is a lull,...
July 16, 2015
In Meeting this morning, a Quaker friend shared her response to, and feelings about, being a Befriender to people living with dementia. She sounded sad as she wondered about how much of a role, say, and dignity we allow people...
July 7, 2015
Dementia Caring with Love Here, for your perusal, is another set of ‘Tentative Tips’. As I said in Part One, please do take them for what they are – ideas shared in the hope they might prove useful to others as...
June 10, 2015
My dad was 90 earlier this year. My sisters and I spent a good few weeks debating the benefits and pitfalls of a big party. However, despite the fact that dad can no longer remember his friends’ names or what...
May 28, 2015
How to stay standing and happy alongside the person you care for with dementia I’ve worked for many years in the field of mental health, and more recently with people living with dementia and their carers, but nothing prepared me...
May 18, 2015
I don’t find caring for my dad easy. The word ‘carer’ slips out freely enough – I have worked with carers and in the field of mental health over many years and, just as I am not shy of...
May 13, 2015
I have just come back from a trip down to Dorset to stay with my dad. My dad lives in a beautiful small north Dorset town, and it should be (and mainly is) a pleasure to visit. If you take...
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