Amy cares for her husband, Ricky who has mental health challenges and her oldest son, Oliver, who has autism
A couple of years ago, Amy’s husband had a breakdown which changed their lives. Amy is now Ricky’s full-time carer as well as looking after their three children. Alongside the physical aspects of the caring role, there is also an emotional impact.
“It has been like a grieving process for all of us. For me, the person I married has changed and for the kids, they want their daddy back to how he was.”
Amy says one of the challenges of caring is that you are so focused on looking after everyone else that it leaves no time for you. It can feel very lonely.
Carers First offers grants to carers like Amy for a break via our partner Carers Trust. Amy applied for a grant to pay for a holiday with her mum and her children to the seaside. She was able to arrange for her husband’s mum and dad to look after him while they were away. Amy says:
“We hadn’t had a holiday since Ricky had his breakdown. Because of his condition, we are often walking on eggshells at home and the kids need to be quiet. This was a chance for them to let go, have fun and feel like kids.”
“It was such a lovely break that we wouldn’t have been able to afford ourselves. It was a chance for me to have a break and just be me. The kids also had my full attention as mum. We have such lovely memories like my oldest running into the sea, seeing jelly-fish, playing in the splash park and my youngest discovering a love of curry sauce on her chips!”
Amy says the break has had a lasting impact:
“I was feeling drained in my caring role and the break re-charged and refreshed me. The kids still talk about the holiday and ask to get the photos out. Thank you so much for helping us have a break.”
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