4. Fight the good fight

ONE DAY AT A TIME
Meditations for Carers

4. Fight the good fight

2 Timothy 1.7, GNB

It’s strange. Before we became carers, we probably had a lot of faith and even pride in our country’s health and social services. We assumed there was a safety net there to catch the needy. Until we found ourselves in that category of needing help. And suddenly we realized, as we plummeted in freefall, that there was no net. No such thing as a system to catch us. Just a collection of organizations and departments and people – all probably caring and willing to help – but nobody actually in charge, and no system – simply a maze without a route map.

Like me, you’ve probably used up enormous energy and a lot of time trying to fathom out the maze and get the help your loved one needs and is entitled to. It takes a while to dawn on you, but you have to be the person in charge, you have to become the expert – on your loved one’s condition, and on what he or she needs or is entitled to. Now is not the time to be a shrinking violet! There’s no need to be belligerent, but you’ll have to be persistent – filled with power, love and self-control. The State will help you – it’s not a favour, it’s your and your loved one’s right – but you do have to ask (and keep asking till you get the help you need)...


Taken from One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers by Dorothy M.Stewart