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We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

Hi, my name is EstherT!

EstherT

Hi I live in the borders of Devon/Cornwall. In an area challenging to be independent in so many ways. I’m married and my youngest daughter of 25 is my carer. She also looks after her 2 1/2 yr niece (my granddaughter). As a parent I want more for her.

My husband is a full time local lorry driver.

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Comments

Sandy_123

Hi @EstherT welcome to the forum, thanks for telling us about yourself. Its nice your daughter is able to help look after you. I think as a parent, we all want our children to have more. Have you spoke to your daughter about this? Has she any ideas what she would like to do.
Have a look around the forum and join in with the topics, there are sections you may find useful.
How is your area making it difficult for you to be independent?

EstherT

My daughter is doing evening classes to do book keeping. I encouraged her as she is fairly shy. As thought she is doing well and has another year minimum, until qualified. Don’t know how I will cope but she needs to live her life.
As for my area there is one bus a week to a town and back. Nothing much there and not very accessible. It’s not even the closest town. All towns and villages local are not very accessible. Supermarkets and small new areas accessible by car. I don't drive due to medical conditions. No accessible taxis for electric wheelchair. I am using a Walker for short flat trips but limits my experience (need help with doors etc. and very tiring.

Sue_Alumni

Good morning @EstherT and a warm welcome from me too to the on line community.

This is a very supportive and welcoming community to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 . The virtual coffee lounge where we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests is a good starting place and I'm sure you would be made to feel very welcome. There is also a recent discussions page which shows an overview of everything happening across the community and you will see that there are discussions about accessibility issues and carers which may be of particular interest to you.

If you have any questions at all then please don’t hesitate to ask.

Sandy_123

That's good your daughter is doing evening classes and a year will fly by. The only way to ease your barriers with getting out, would be to consider moving to a more built up area. Is that something you may consider?

EstherT

The village is more built up than the farm in the middle of nowhere. We live in our first home we bought don’t think we can afford to move and hubby’s a country boy. This was a compromise. Maybe when he retires and granddaughter not so dependant on care. Will maybe look into community bus again. It does day trips out and picks up from door. Only I get reminded how many peoples places I take up with my wheelchair. Or forced to struggle with my Walker. (Drivers very helpful on and off bus).
Trips aimed to the elderly so not always great. And rides can take ages to pick up everyone (hours). Not great if you can’t hang on.