Articles dedicated to Carers by Carers

Carers Poem
by a Hillingdon Carer

What do you like to do?
When do you want to chill out for a time
Do you pop to friends?
Or go for a drive
With your four legged friend
Take the kids to the park
Or meet at the pub with friends

Well What ever you do
Please spare a thought
For that person next door
That person you misunderstood
“You what?” you may ask
You may wonder what’s this all about
It’s simply not that easy
For a carer to take time out

We can’t just drop everything
For that ‘me time’ so special
To re-energise our batteries
And time for us
We must always think first
What might happen to our loved one?
From them falling out of bed
Or they could leave the tap on

They could leave the gas on
Or not even eat all day
They could let in a stranger
Or wander off for a ‘walk’
They could have a heart attack
Or struggle for breath
But whatever the reason
We all say “No, another time”

We all have different things
That makes us stop and think
Do we grab that five minute crossword?
Whilst they are having that quick sleep
Or do we grab our coat and go
But what were we thinking of
We could never leave them alone!

So what better way for us?
To have some ‘me time’ so special
Is to go to an organised activity
One that makes us thinks “why not?”
We could be taken away for the day
Or go on a healthy walk
Go to a course to get our teeth into
Or meet up for a coffee and a talk

So please spare a thought for us carers
Who some of us just don’t get out
It’s hard to find our ‘me time’
And just relax and chill out
You must understand we also need caring for
We never stop to think about ourselves
So please remember to help us get out
And keep these activities about

Hillingdon Young Carers Project
by a Young Carer

When asked to write a poem
I knew that I wanted to say
How much I appreciated young carers,
They help me get through the day.

I have a disabled brother
But I think he copes really well
If you look at hime from a distance
You would’nt be able to tell

But you notice when you’re close up
That he’s paralysed on one side
And when he’s happy he’s really happy
And when he was younger he cried

So he’s always getting attention
At home, at clubs, at school
On staurday he gets to go riding
And on Tuesdays a trip to the pool

I get fed uop going with him
I have to sit and behave
It’s not fair; I want to go riding,
Go swimming (or even a rave)

Yet I suppose I’m very lucky
Cos Mum does most of the care
But sometimes it feels like a prison
And I’d really rather not be there

I once wished I was disabled
So that I could have some of the fun
But then, when I saw him struggle
I knew that I’d got it wrong.

My Mum say I love him really
And I guess if I’m honest I do
I’m happy to help when I’m needed
Smiles cost you nothing – it’s true

Yet I’d rather have a horse, a dog
A cat or even a Mother
That spends a little more time with me
And a little less time with my brother

But now I have my own club
And he’s not allowed to attend
I get three hours of my fun
All me and sometimes a friend

I’m allowed to play pool and computer
And be messy with craft and glue
Sometimes I sit and eat pizza
There’s always plenty to do

And there’s always someone to talk to
To scream out when life feels unfair
And they don’t tell me to grow up
They take time and pull up a chair

So when I’m fed up with my brother
And I’d much rahter go out and play
I say thank you to
Hillingdon Young Carers
For helping me get through the day

Love Sarah xxx

A Carer’s Time
by Les Kaye

One of the hardest things I found to being a Carer was how difficult it was to ‘switch off’ when having an hour or two ‘me time’, whether it was going for a walk, shopping, meeting up with friends or going
on a course or trip.

From the moment you leave the house the time factor kicks in.
Will the bus or train be on time, will there be a lot of traffic or worse still an accident that will delay you getting home on time.  If you’re shopping, will there be a queue at the till to hold you up in any of the shops.  Although these may seem small worries, believe me they’re not when you are a Carer.  Another main worry is what if something happens to you when you’re out, as the person looking after your ‘cared for’ may have to leave at a certain time.  Will the ‘cared for’ be left alone!

I once had to get a cab home that I really couldn’t afford as there was a problem with the buses.

Time is always on your mind when you are out and about.  Feelings and thoughts can range from mild frustration to full blown panic and what should be a pleasant break can be very stressful indeed.

Being a carer is a 24/7 responsibility.

Les is an ex-carer now a volunteer with Hillingdon Carers
This carer’s story was read out at the Carers Conference 2010 by Barbara Kalopsidiotis as an encouragement to other carers.