h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Evening all. Well, it's about 12.45 by my watch, but who's counting. I don't know what it's like where you are but where I am its FREEZING. Not least for reasons related in my journal http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/F3848296?thread=7912903 for which I just noticed I got the subject line WRONG!!! DAMMIT!! Oh well. Anyway, I've just had a meeting with a lady from a local group called Care for the Carers. Initial contact seems positive, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's expectations have become somewhat sceptical over the years. How are we all doing this week, people?

Annoyed because my Caree is home from school due to weather. This is more to do with teenacherhood than HFA though. Sulking because I want to have the news on. I was the same!

Getting out to work is what keeps me sane and in this weather it's just as stressful!

Not heard of Care for Carers, but as I'm caring for my son, things don't really seem like 'caring'. Just bringing up a boy like everyone else with a kiddie.

They're a local charity so unless you live in the same area as me you won't have heard of them. I look after my wife so I have often felt the way you feel Mina, and yet here we both are. May I ask why your boy needs care? Or have I already asked... I'm starting to get lost

I hope you can get the heating sorted soon, Benjamin. Yes I know one can always put on extra layers but that makes certain jobs harder. Particularly as I tend to nick my hubby's big jumpers.


My local council always seemed to do the home improvements during the coldest days of the year. Changing the windows when there's snow on the ground, refitting the central heating over three very cold days, leaving us with just the electric fire (which is very pretty, but does buggarall) and refitting the kitchen and bathroom during the winter. At least we have a walk-in shower now with all the grab rails that we need and a seat which is very handy for shaving my legs

You asked before - he's high functioing autism. So not a huge amount of care, but there are things that are very different about him that you don't find in most teenagers - he won't go anywhere on his own for instance.

How many other teenagers won't go out without their mum?

Well heating is now sorted out. So we have hot water and our electricity useage is going down. I am now waiting for a carers assessment and all sorts of other stuff. Mina- I spent a couple of years working with autistic kids in a mainstream school in Hertfordshire, it's no easy task, I don't envy you. How are we all looking forward to Christmas guys?

Christmas here was just another day - with a load of extra work I could've done without before it (caused by the snow and by having to get stuff done before the surgery etc closed down for christmas).

And now, Easter & May Day have also come and gone - causing similar amounts of extra work & inconvenience. Thank goodness there won't be another bank holiday for a bit - IMHO they're a pain in the neck for carers!

Apart from Monday week, which is also a Bank Holiday!