Day 103 – 116

22nd Dec – 5th of Jan

I have had a few weeks off over Christmas and New Year. It was chaotic yet ‘blissful’, at the same time. I hope everyone had a Happy Christmas and New Year.

On the 23rd Dec I took my mum and my children into our nearest city, so that we could do a spot of shopping. It was the first time in a long time that I had taken my mum out shopping. I have to say, my mum loved the shopping trip, she was bright eyed and laughed everywhere we went. We went to ASDA, we went to the main high street and we went into a shopping arcade. It was busy and I worried that it would be too much for my mum. My children, they were a god send and they helped me get my mum out of the car and then back into the car and then back out and back in. It was hard going for us all, however, we managed it and we had fun at the same time.

When we got back home I checked my email, I had an invoice from the local authority saying that my mum was required to pay the £1900 odds, Happy Christmas to you too, I thought.

I had received a letter from the Ombudsman saying that they had too many complaints and not enough complaints officers, however, they would hopefully be able to allocate my complaint, regarding the bruises my mum sustained in a care home, by the end of January. I am thinking that this means they are taking the complaint on board, so regardless of the delay, I am happy.

I also received a letter from Audit Scotland which, outlined some failings they found, by my local authority. It stated that my local authority are going to be reviewing the Charges and Contributions policy in 2016. So again this feels like positive news.

I contacted the home care department and I cancelled the Christmas day visits from the carer’s, as I felt that it would be good to have a break from them coming to my house.  My call went on to voice mail, I left a message.

On the 24th Dec I prepared Christmas dinner, I then delivered Christmas cards and presents to friends around my area. It was just small items, its the thought that counts. I missed a call from the OT and I received a call from the home care department. They wanted confirmation of my Christmas day cancellation.

Christmas day was wonderful, my children did not get a lot, however, they were happy and enjoyed ripping off the Christmas paper and seeing what their presents were. My children are fantastic, they had bought me some presents too. I felt extremely sad inside and I wished that I could have got them more. I smiled though and I pretended that I was happy and joyful, realistically I felt depressed and like a failure.

My daughter went to her friends house on boxing day, my son was in his room. I put together my complaint for the ombudsman, with regards to the issues surrounding the arrears that my local authority say my mum has and also the expected £56.90 a week transport costs. I began this at 10am and by 9pm my head was sore.

The next day I meet my sister in my nearest city, she was taking my mum to her house for a few days to give me a proper break. It was weird when my mum was away I kept getting urges to check that she was okay, it was as though she was still in my house.

My mum and my sister and her family came to my house for the New Year. We had a lovely time.

It is the 5th of Jan and I receive an email from my mums keyworker asking if there is going to be any amendments to my placement schedule for support for my mum whilst I am on my placement for university. I emailed back saying that there would be as I had found someone that was willing to take my mum back and forth from the care centre and that I would email her back later in the day.