............................What a wonderful thing it can be!!
And even better if i get to watch it bit at someone's rear end!!!
He he he.................
The continuing saga of our journey to get a named Social Worker for Peter. After "getting" the Deputy Director of SW services last week, i got a call last friday from a team Leader at our local SW office.
(he must have done the optional module on "making phone calls"!!!!)
He was profuse in his apologies about the hassles we'd had. He said that the other Social Workers we had spoken to should have taken matters more seriously, especially when we started mentioning legal stuff .
He gave us the Council policy on overseeing Guardianships - we SHOULD have had a named contact and they SHOULD have been in touch at least once a year, possibly twice. (I KNEW all this - and i don't have a SW qualification - how come they didn't?!?!)
Anyway - the outcome was that we were to be assigned Named Worker within 2 weeks and i had this guy's name and number if things went pear shaped - again!!!
Yesterday afternoon, i was getting ready to go out to vote in the local council elections.
The phone rang.
The voice at the other end introduced himself as our named worker and told me who he was.
My brain was busy taking in this info as he talked.
Then i realized that i KNOW this guy!!
SO i stoped him and asked if he had been to the primary school i went to.
Yes, came the reply.
So, i said, you should remember me - and i told him who i was.
EEEEKKKKKK - He DID remember me and then said that he remembered his brother (who worked at the primary Peter went to) telling him we'd met.
See what i mean about Karma!?!?!
Mind you, time will tell how it goes.
He's coming to visit next friday.
Heck - they can wait on us for a change. And the next few days are busy. Peter and i had the dentist today and i had an ASDA delivery.
It's Paul's birthday on sunday.
Tuesday we're going to Aberdeen and doing our presentation on wednesday.
Thursday is art class
As i've been writing, i've had a call from Jenn to fill me in on arrangements for wednesday.
Sounds like a good time will be had.
And i've promised Peter we'll take the dvd player and some dvds to watch in the evening.
But before then, i have Birthday cards to write, pressies to wrap (not for Paul, but my friend's son whose birthday is on monday)
Goodness know when he'll get the pressie, but he WILL get it.
Lilo
Friday, 4 May 2012
Friday, 27 April 2012
What were you doing 24 years ago.............?????
...........Simple enough question really!!
I know what i was doing!!
Lying in a bed in the Maternity Hospital recovering from a C Section and wondering if i really was Mum to this little creature with all the right things in the right places and had the promise of a mop of red hair on her head!!!
Louise was late.
So they decided that i needed a bit of intervention.
Now - i am not going to bore you with all the gory details, mainly because they're not too nice and to be honest, time does make you kinda forget the bad bits and helps you focus on the good.
I got a smile when she was 24 hours old and a look that said "well - what adventures are we going to have?" That look is one i have come to know a LOT over the past 24 years - some have been great, some not and some downright scary, but we are still here.
SO - 24 years on, we started our celebrations last night.
Pizza was ordered and eaten.
This morning, pressies and cards.
She went off to get her hair done because she ws going out tonight with the girls from work. Not because it's her birthday (tho that i'm sure would be excuse enough), but it was to welcome the girls from an associated ward at another hospital who have just transferred to the ward.
This afternoon, Charlene and Abby came over.
It was fun watching Abby toddling about, getting bolder. And watching her and Lilo try to suss each other out!!!!
Me thinks Abby won that battle!!!
Tonight, Lou is away out - red hair (down - which may surprise some of the folk at work who are so used to seeing it tided back and up for work!)
I think they nay literally paint the town red!!!
But the best bit is, i have watched this girl grow up into a confident young woman who is good at her job and good with her brothers .
I just wonder how she's put up with her mad mother (and crazy father!!) for sooooo long!!!!
I know what i was doing!!
Lying in a bed in the Maternity Hospital recovering from a C Section and wondering if i really was Mum to this little creature with all the right things in the right places and had the promise of a mop of red hair on her head!!!
Louise was late.
So they decided that i needed a bit of intervention.
Now - i am not going to bore you with all the gory details, mainly because they're not too nice and to be honest, time does make you kinda forget the bad bits and helps you focus on the good.
I got a smile when she was 24 hours old and a look that said "well - what adventures are we going to have?" That look is one i have come to know a LOT over the past 24 years - some have been great, some not and some downright scary, but we are still here.
SO - 24 years on, we started our celebrations last night.
Pizza was ordered and eaten.
This morning, pressies and cards.
She went off to get her hair done because she ws going out tonight with the girls from work. Not because it's her birthday (tho that i'm sure would be excuse enough), but it was to welcome the girls from an associated ward at another hospital who have just transferred to the ward.
This afternoon, Charlene and Abby came over.
It was fun watching Abby toddling about, getting bolder. And watching her and Lilo try to suss each other out!!!!
Me thinks Abby won that battle!!!
Tonight, Lou is away out - red hair (down - which may surprise some of the folk at work who are so used to seeing it tided back and up for work!)
I think they nay literally paint the town red!!!
But the best bit is, i have watched this girl grow up into a confident young woman who is good at her job and good with her brothers .
I just wonder how she's put up with her mad mother (and crazy father!!) for sooooo long!!!!
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Back in the world of the grown ups - again!!
Yeah - me got to be mostly grown up yesterday and I really enjoyed it!
Remember the posts about Peter's Self Directed Support and Enable, who help support Peter (and the rest of us)?
Well, they are involved in a series of conferences about Self Directed Support. There were some brief updates on the process and we had the Assistant Director of Social Care Services in Glasgow along to tell about how things are going in Glasgow.
Now - my thoughts were
1) When the heck did Social Work Department change to Social Care Services??? (while i was asleep one day maybe?!?!
and
2) Did this guy REALLY know i was in the building and how much danger money was he being paid, lest i chinned him about things?!?!?!
More of No 2 later!!!
The people who came along were from a wide range of groups - Enable (obviously) and Crossreach - both provide support for People with Learning disabilities. Crossreach also do support for older people. Some Mental Health groups, people who are homeless were also represented. Some individuals who are wanting to find out more about SDS were there - carers. And People who are supported by various agencies were there, so it was a fairly good mix.
There were 4 Workshops. Now, much as the other workshops i'm sure were great, i'm just going to tell you about the one that Peter and i did with Jenn, who is one of the Development Workers with Enable.
Our session was called "SDS and the Family".
We had to do it 4 times. I was conned - Jenn had told me we would do it twice!!!!!! Love you Jenn, but 4 times was (i thought!) going to be HARD going!!!!
Jenn did a lot of prep work for it - we used the filming we did last year for the Naidex exhibition and a slideshow of photos of Peter and what he'd been up to and of us as a family was shown as we talked after the film.
Luckily, the groups weren't too big. In the morning sessions, we watched the film, then Jenn asked Peter and Me some questions about our journey to SDS, how we found it, how easy/hard it was and what we might say to others thinking about going along the same road.
The groups seemed to be quite receptive and one or 2 things were asked.
And to be honest, i was thinking of things on the hoof - like we're pretty unique , in that we are getting support for Peter, AND that Louise has worked as a SW while at Uni. It gave us a good insight into how the workers felt and how we felt we should be treating the workers who help support Peter. (they're not skivvies, they are human, often with their own stories of WHY they are doing this job).
We had a tea stop between the sessions and you could hear people talk. I passed someone who was talking about how hard things got for families when they didn't get good support - i just had to stop and agree!! (i don't usually butt into other conversations, but i just wanted the woman and the folk she was with to know they were not alone!!)
I did ask if this Deputy guy was about - but he had gone, Oh, damn - rumbled!!!
I should have said that Jenn, Ashleigh, Peter and I sat up the back with Geraldine (Scary Woman in a suit, who is actually very nice!! Woman who went to St Ambrose High in Coatbrige can be bred STRONG and take no nonsense!!!).
I joked that we could be a bit like the Hecklers from the Muppets!!!
Mmmmmm - i had to sit on my hands to stop myself from jumping up and down and shouting FFFOOOUUUUUULLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at one or two comments he made.
Lunch time came and we headed off for food. We thought our sessions had gone really well. At least - nobody had told us otherwise, or threatened to shove us oot a window and in the way of the traffic! Poor Ashleigh tho - she felt all her work had been for not much. She was talking about the process for providers and from what i heard her say, some were a bit iffy. I know that she would have prepared hard and i felt for her.
Peter loved the food mind you. He had some Pizza and some ratatouille - and went back for more pizza. He was a bit miffed there was no ice cream! But i couldn't resist the sticky toffee pudding!!!
After lunch, we chatted to a couple of people (2 lovely ladies from Crossreach) - they know the Unit Manager from the Mallard - the respite Peter went to when he was at school and one of them works at the unit which is situated in Tollcross Park.
Then back to work!!
We decide to alter the presentation a bit. Instead of Jenn asking the questions, we asked the group is they wanted to ask anything. It was interesting what they did ask - could we bank hours? What about receipts and expenses? Why did we go for a structured approach and did Peter do anything of an evening?
Managed to reply fairly well and i hope give some info and insight.
And, it had to happen didn't it. A parent of a child that Lou supported came over to talk to us!!! I had been careful not to mention who she had worked for or what her degree was in, or where she worked now. It took me a few seconds to actually work out which family it was.
I had to rack my brain to make sure i hadn't said anything untoward!! I had made a comment about encouraging Peter to ask his support if they wanted a drink if he was going to get one - more out of politeness and not letting them feel left out. (i rarely leave anyone who comes into our house without the offer of a drink of something, or if we are eating, the offer of at least a biccie or a sandwich)
Sadly, Lou wasn't even asked in this house if she would like a drink of water.
We had another tea stop before our Q&A session. Oh, man - the goodies they left out - choccie muffins. Scones with jam and cream. Bars of chocolate. Yummy!!!
I was chatting with Peter and this voice said "oh, Hello Mrs Johnston, nice to meet you"
It was the Social work/care guy!!! He;d come back!!
Maybe - for once - my reputation had by passed him.
Maybe he had heard and thought he'd come back to see if it was true!!
Maybe he was a glutton for punishment!!!!
Now - as we all know - i am not one to let a good opperchancity to pass me by!
Remember my visit to Mr Speaker's House and giving the Shadow Chancellor a message for the Chancellor and the Prime Minister.
No chances unturned or passed by could be my new motto!!!
So i asked him what the departments policy was on Social Work finding out how things are getting on ion a family where there is a Guardianship order in place.
Now - I KNOW what the office of the Public Guardian say, but i wanted to know what his Departmet would say.
Off hand, he said, he didn't know, but he would find out and get back to me.
Ok.
So then i told him that the reality of living in the world i do, is that we do not have a named Social Worker or care manager. We have been in contact and been told that we do not need one. (Duh - wrong!! They are meant to be in contact because of the above order).
I told him i was not prepared to be fobbed off with "duty worker" who doesn't know us. ANd anyway - if someone did phone us claiming to be from SW and wanting to know things about the order (and i didn't know their name) I Would most likely hang up on them.
D'ya blame me???
These are details that i don't really want bandied about outwith the people who NEED to know!!
I also told of the trouble we have had recently, being told of meetings, then told it wasn't in the diary.
Of being told that "someone" would phone back and no one did.
Of being told that if we really wanted a worker, we'd have to write and request one but most likely would not be allocated.
THis iis what is going on.
Luckily - for him(!!) Theresa came to the rescue!!
Sorry T!!! I left you to pick up the pieces of a broken man!!!!
(she did well to patch him up again!!! )
The Q& A was good, and all too quickly the day was over!
I WANNA DO IT ALL AGAIN!!!!
Oh wait - i DO get to do it all again!!
Couple of weeks time in Aberdeen, then in Irvine.
Goodie!!!!
Now - the day couldn't go buy without the mention of Donna and her shoes!!
Yes - Donna - wearer of the read high heels that were almost at tall as the Blackpool tower. (I kid you not - ginormouse they were!!)
Well - maybe not that big, but big enough to make my knees groan and my left ankle to scream in agony!!
This time, slightly less high, but comfy (she assured me) black pair.
Did you hear the groans and screams from me????
One thing i did say at the workshops was that Enable and our support team have become like an extended family to us. I have said this all along and i know it's not just us that they treat in this way. Some of the people they help support maybe don't have family now. They need to help support people in many different ways.
And it's not just Peter they support - it's us a family.
I'm not saying everything is perfect - if it was, we wouldn't need the support. But it is sooooo good to have someone that you can phone if there is a problem and they can try to sort it. If finance are dragging out paying back expenses, someone can rattle them.
And sometimes. life gets a bit shitty and i end up in tears and just need to dump.
They don't get paid enough, but they keep coming back to join in our journey, so i'm glad about that.
One comment i made yesterday was that if you get paid peanuts, you get monkeys. And you may not feel supported.
But our experience has been that our support mostly feels well supported by both Enable and us. Yes- we've made changes, but that's life - change.
The last thing i'd like to say is something that my friend Linda posted on her facebook today. (yes, THAT Linda - partner is choc eating and southern comfort drinking crime.
Here's to the nights that turn into mornings.
The friends that turn into family.
The dreams that turn into reality.
And the likes that turn into loves.
Remember the posts about Peter's Self Directed Support and Enable, who help support Peter (and the rest of us)?
Well, they are involved in a series of conferences about Self Directed Support. There were some brief updates on the process and we had the Assistant Director of Social Care Services in Glasgow along to tell about how things are going in Glasgow.
Now - my thoughts were
1) When the heck did Social Work Department change to Social Care Services??? (while i was asleep one day maybe?!?!
and
2) Did this guy REALLY know i was in the building and how much danger money was he being paid, lest i chinned him about things?!?!?!
More of No 2 later!!!
The people who came along were from a wide range of groups - Enable (obviously) and Crossreach - both provide support for People with Learning disabilities. Crossreach also do support for older people. Some Mental Health groups, people who are homeless were also represented. Some individuals who are wanting to find out more about SDS were there - carers. And People who are supported by various agencies were there, so it was a fairly good mix.
There were 4 Workshops. Now, much as the other workshops i'm sure were great, i'm just going to tell you about the one that Peter and i did with Jenn, who is one of the Development Workers with Enable.
Our session was called "SDS and the Family".
We had to do it 4 times. I was conned - Jenn had told me we would do it twice!!!!!! Love you Jenn, but 4 times was (i thought!) going to be HARD going!!!!
Jenn did a lot of prep work for it - we used the filming we did last year for the Naidex exhibition and a slideshow of photos of Peter and what he'd been up to and of us as a family was shown as we talked after the film.
Luckily, the groups weren't too big. In the morning sessions, we watched the film, then Jenn asked Peter and Me some questions about our journey to SDS, how we found it, how easy/hard it was and what we might say to others thinking about going along the same road.
The groups seemed to be quite receptive and one or 2 things were asked.
And to be honest, i was thinking of things on the hoof - like we're pretty unique , in that we are getting support for Peter, AND that Louise has worked as a SW while at Uni. It gave us a good insight into how the workers felt and how we felt we should be treating the workers who help support Peter. (they're not skivvies, they are human, often with their own stories of WHY they are doing this job).
We had a tea stop between the sessions and you could hear people talk. I passed someone who was talking about how hard things got for families when they didn't get good support - i just had to stop and agree!! (i don't usually butt into other conversations, but i just wanted the woman and the folk she was with to know they were not alone!!)
I did ask if this Deputy guy was about - but he had gone, Oh, damn - rumbled!!!
I should have said that Jenn, Ashleigh, Peter and I sat up the back with Geraldine (Scary Woman in a suit, who is actually very nice!! Woman who went to St Ambrose High in Coatbrige can be bred STRONG and take no nonsense!!!).
I joked that we could be a bit like the Hecklers from the Muppets!!!
Mmmmmm - i had to sit on my hands to stop myself from jumping up and down and shouting FFFOOOUUUUUULLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at one or two comments he made.
Lunch time came and we headed off for food. We thought our sessions had gone really well. At least - nobody had told us otherwise, or threatened to shove us oot a window and in the way of the traffic! Poor Ashleigh tho - she felt all her work had been for not much. She was talking about the process for providers and from what i heard her say, some were a bit iffy. I know that she would have prepared hard and i felt for her.
Peter loved the food mind you. He had some Pizza and some ratatouille - and went back for more pizza. He was a bit miffed there was no ice cream! But i couldn't resist the sticky toffee pudding!!!
After lunch, we chatted to a couple of people (2 lovely ladies from Crossreach) - they know the Unit Manager from the Mallard - the respite Peter went to when he was at school and one of them works at the unit which is situated in Tollcross Park.
Then back to work!!
We decide to alter the presentation a bit. Instead of Jenn asking the questions, we asked the group is they wanted to ask anything. It was interesting what they did ask - could we bank hours? What about receipts and expenses? Why did we go for a structured approach and did Peter do anything of an evening?
Managed to reply fairly well and i hope give some info and insight.
And, it had to happen didn't it. A parent of a child that Lou supported came over to talk to us!!! I had been careful not to mention who she had worked for or what her degree was in, or where she worked now. It took me a few seconds to actually work out which family it was.
I had to rack my brain to make sure i hadn't said anything untoward!! I had made a comment about encouraging Peter to ask his support if they wanted a drink if he was going to get one - more out of politeness and not letting them feel left out. (i rarely leave anyone who comes into our house without the offer of a drink of something, or if we are eating, the offer of at least a biccie or a sandwich)
Sadly, Lou wasn't even asked in this house if she would like a drink of water.
We had another tea stop before our Q&A session. Oh, man - the goodies they left out - choccie muffins. Scones with jam and cream. Bars of chocolate. Yummy!!!
I was chatting with Peter and this voice said "oh, Hello Mrs Johnston, nice to meet you"
It was the Social work/care guy!!! He;d come back!!
Maybe - for once - my reputation had by passed him.
Maybe he had heard and thought he'd come back to see if it was true!!
Maybe he was a glutton for punishment!!!!
Now - as we all know - i am not one to let a good opperchancity to pass me by!
Remember my visit to Mr Speaker's House and giving the Shadow Chancellor a message for the Chancellor and the Prime Minister.
No chances unturned or passed by could be my new motto!!!
So i asked him what the departments policy was on Social Work finding out how things are getting on ion a family where there is a Guardianship order in place.
Now - I KNOW what the office of the Public Guardian say, but i wanted to know what his Departmet would say.
Off hand, he said, he didn't know, but he would find out and get back to me.
Ok.
So then i told him that the reality of living in the world i do, is that we do not have a named Social Worker or care manager. We have been in contact and been told that we do not need one. (Duh - wrong!! They are meant to be in contact because of the above order).
I told him i was not prepared to be fobbed off with "duty worker" who doesn't know us. ANd anyway - if someone did phone us claiming to be from SW and wanting to know things about the order (and i didn't know their name) I Would most likely hang up on them.
D'ya blame me???
These are details that i don't really want bandied about outwith the people who NEED to know!!
I also told of the trouble we have had recently, being told of meetings, then told it wasn't in the diary.
Of being told that "someone" would phone back and no one did.
Of being told that if we really wanted a worker, we'd have to write and request one but most likely would not be allocated.
THis iis what is going on.
Luckily - for him(!!) Theresa came to the rescue!!
Sorry T!!! I left you to pick up the pieces of a broken man!!!!
(she did well to patch him up again!!! )
The Q& A was good, and all too quickly the day was over!
I WANNA DO IT ALL AGAIN!!!!
Oh wait - i DO get to do it all again!!
Couple of weeks time in Aberdeen, then in Irvine.
Goodie!!!!
Now - the day couldn't go buy without the mention of Donna and her shoes!!
Yes - Donna - wearer of the read high heels that were almost at tall as the Blackpool tower. (I kid you not - ginormouse they were!!)
Well - maybe not that big, but big enough to make my knees groan and my left ankle to scream in agony!!
This time, slightly less high, but comfy (she assured me) black pair.
Did you hear the groans and screams from me????
One thing i did say at the workshops was that Enable and our support team have become like an extended family to us. I have said this all along and i know it's not just us that they treat in this way. Some of the people they help support maybe don't have family now. They need to help support people in many different ways.
And it's not just Peter they support - it's us a family.
I'm not saying everything is perfect - if it was, we wouldn't need the support. But it is sooooo good to have someone that you can phone if there is a problem and they can try to sort it. If finance are dragging out paying back expenses, someone can rattle them.
And sometimes. life gets a bit shitty and i end up in tears and just need to dump.
They don't get paid enough, but they keep coming back to join in our journey, so i'm glad about that.
One comment i made yesterday was that if you get paid peanuts, you get monkeys. And you may not feel supported.
But our experience has been that our support mostly feels well supported by both Enable and us. Yes- we've made changes, but that's life - change.
The last thing i'd like to say is something that my friend Linda posted on her facebook today. (yes, THAT Linda - partner is choc eating and southern comfort drinking crime.
Here's to the nights that turn into mornings.
The friends that turn into family.
The dreams that turn into reality.
And the likes that turn into loves.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Come to the Dark Side.................
................ We have an E Reader!!!!!
There are times in my life i grab new fangled technology, beat it about the head and use it.
And there are others times that i just wanna chuck it in the bin. (like......... When i can't work out to answer my new smart phone, even 6 months after buying the damn thing!!!!)
Paul's birthday is next month and he's asked for some money towards a kindle. His girlfriend has one and he likes it.
My friend Linda (she choccie eating and southern comfort slurping fame!) has one - she hinted long and hard to her daughters to buy her one!
But i wasn't convinced.
I like books.
The smell, the touch, being able to flick thru and browse.
None of that new fangled techie stuff for me, thank you very much,
But a couple of weeks ago, i was taken to the dark side and i just had to succumb.
My name is Julie and i am the owner of a white and lilac Kobe E Reader!!!
Now that i have downloaded some books and have been reading, i actually quite like it.
I still like a proper book, but i can see times when i know i'll use the e reader.
Normally when i'm travelling, i don't like to read, but the Kobe is a nice size and shape - so i may be reading on the hoof a lot more!
I've downloaded War Horse (saw the film, so decided to get the book), and the Best exotic Marigold Hotel.
And Gervase Phinn - Tales of a Yorkshire Lad.
So i'm all set. Might download a few more - if m credit card lets me!!!!
Now, if only i could find those cookies that i've heard tell of on the dark side and i'd be really happy!!!!
There are times in my life i grab new fangled technology, beat it about the head and use it.
And there are others times that i just wanna chuck it in the bin. (like......... When i can't work out to answer my new smart phone, even 6 months after buying the damn thing!!!!)
Paul's birthday is next month and he's asked for some money towards a kindle. His girlfriend has one and he likes it.
My friend Linda (she choccie eating and southern comfort slurping fame!) has one - she hinted long and hard to her daughters to buy her one!
But i wasn't convinced.
I like books.
The smell, the touch, being able to flick thru and browse.
None of that new fangled techie stuff for me, thank you very much,
But a couple of weeks ago, i was taken to the dark side and i just had to succumb.
My name is Julie and i am the owner of a white and lilac Kobe E Reader!!!
Now that i have downloaded some books and have been reading, i actually quite like it.
I still like a proper book, but i can see times when i know i'll use the e reader.
Normally when i'm travelling, i don't like to read, but the Kobe is a nice size and shape - so i may be reading on the hoof a lot more!
I've downloaded War Horse (saw the film, so decided to get the book), and the Best exotic Marigold Hotel.
And Gervase Phinn - Tales of a Yorkshire Lad.
So i'm all set. Might download a few more - if m credit card lets me!!!!
Now, if only i could find those cookies that i've heard tell of on the dark side and i'd be really happy!!!!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Meanwhile back at the haven.......................
...............Yes, we've been back on Skye, eating good food and drinking more Southern Comfort than is good for me!! (just don't tell my GP - she's beginning to think i have a drink problem. Well - maybe - i don't get enough?!?!?!?!?)
We were kept busy before we went away.
Psychiatrist visit for the guardianship
Then the Mental Health Officer visited. (i'm sure his report will say that the sanest breathing thing in our family is the cat and she should be in charge of Peter's affairs and the rest of us are sacked!!!)
Questions asked, bits of paper filled in and papers now lodged at court - so just a case of waiting for a date now, which hopefully be soon.
We are still having issues with Social Work. (like - who isn't?!?!?)
Before we went away, Lou had phoned them to find out who our care manager was. Simple enough, you would think, but simple, easy and logic are not words to be used with City of Glasgow Social Work. Man - for supposedly educated people they are really nice but dim Tims!!
We do not have a care manager.
We will not be allocated one unless there is a crisis.
What have i been saying for years?!? Put in a bit of help early on and the crisis times may not be so bad. Bit of early intervention.
WHY is this soooooooo hard for them to understand.
We were told that we could write and request to have a manager allocated, but we prob wouldn't get one. They are too busy.
Well - i'm too busy to keep chasing them up!!!
Oh - and by the way - we have pencilled in a review meeting on the 11th of April they said!!
Well cheers for telling us lads - nice to know another meeting has been arrange for a time and place unspecified, that we couldn't go to because they didn't TELL us where and what time!!
Gettingthedejavousfeeling.com
So Louise was tasked with phoning SW while we were away making merry.
Now - as i'm sure you have all discovered, nothing is easy Chez Johnston. Why do anything the easy way, when hard is so much more fun and adds grey hairs to my head and wrinkles to my face.
Caroline from Enable phones and asked if Peter would do a presentation with her about his support. So in between washing, ironing and packing, i looked out some of Peter's artwork for him to take with him.
I had tried to e mail some photos to Caroline, but it kept telling me they couldn't be sent. Eventually i gave up.
Monday morning, off we went. Bus left at 10am. Just as well we had booked seats - no spare seats at all. As the bus boarded, i phoned Alisdair to ask him to let Caroline know about the photos and with some ideas of who might have some photos she could use from other presentations.
Journey up was lovely - weather was good and it promised to be a good week.
Linda had been a bit down in the dumps - one of her cats - Leo - had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago. He had been out and about round Portree (probably bossing other cats about!!). He got home and really wasn't well. Linda got him to the Vet and they think some pesticide/anti freeze poisoning was to blame. Sadly, things were too far gone for the treatment to help.
We knew we were going to miss the ginga one!!
Harry - our local friendly taxi driver - was there to meet us. He jokingly asked me not to send Paul off to church the day Celtic and Rangers were playing - He knew which side Paul would pray for and reckoned HIS side needed all the prayers going!!!
Got back to Linda's - normally she tells us just to go straight in, but for some reason, she said she'd go in first - to make sure John couldn't get out.
Normally, John doesn't go out, so i wondered what was going on.
That was till Linda moved out of the way and in Yasmin's arms was the most adorable, cute, smoochie faced ginger and white kitten!!!!
Awww - they had decided to give this lovely puss a home. Gerry (called after some actor or other, mmm........ Gerard Butler. Never 'eard of 'im!!!!!)
We were in love!!
It was nice to catch up with Lachie again and Yasmin was looking good.
Goodies unpacked - Southern Comfort, Kimble's chocs, Dishwashing tablets!!!
I know - i'm sad. Some people's contraband is booze and drugs.
I just smuggle Finish Dishwasher tablets over the sea!!!!
Well - my excuse is that they were on special offer in Poundland!!!
The saddest bit tho - Linda was so pleased to get them!
We are indeed slip sliding raucously towards (and past!!) middle age!!!!
The next couple of days were spent eating, walking, drinking, talking........... Balm to soothe the soul. I hadn't realised how tired i was and i needed the peace.
The fun part came teatime on wednesday.
Louise phoned and told me i really should have my mobile on. (my excuse is that reception is sh*t!!)
She had phoned SW.
They knew nothing of a meeting on the 11th.
(why are we not surprised here!?!?!)
And they are all soooooo busy with people transferring on to SDS that they will not have time to have a meeting till at least august, prob September, but then, who knows???
Oh really, says Lou. Well - YOU told us of the meeting. And anyway - did they not know of the renewal of the guardianship. Surely the MHO had been in touch?? (damn - he works in the same building.)
He hadn't been pleased at the lack of input from SW. They are meant to be in contact at least twice a year because we are guardians and are looking after Peter's affairs. We could have been doing loads we weren't meant to.
They should also be monitoring the support and be available for times when it all goes downhill, but no.
Mind you - they did get a bit antsy when legal stuff was mentioned. They said they would chat to the senior and get back to us. Well - a week on, nothing.
No calls, Alisdair has tried to get in touch - no luck .
As if i don't have enough to do without adding THEIR job onto mine.
Thankfully, Linda was on hand with Pizza, onion rings and a large drink.
Thank goodness for friends of 40 years standing - they can read us like books!!!!
So we made plans for our next visit - most likely august, where i will smuggle more booze, chocs, posh nosh for the cats and anything else that looks good!!!!
So by thursday evening, we were home. Everyone else out, only Lilo at home to welcome us and the dirty washing!!!
Peter went off friday with Caroline and i had the delights of smelly clothes to wash. Thankfully, the good weather meant i got all the stuff out and dry and ended up with a pile of ironing.
So our plans for the holidays are to relax. I might get the boys to try and tidy the bedroom (ha!! May never be found alive!!!)
We're doing some more presentations with Enable in the next few months, which will be fun, scary, good......................
But for now........................ i need some sleep and maybe a little drink!!!
We were kept busy before we went away.
Psychiatrist visit for the guardianship
Then the Mental Health Officer visited. (i'm sure his report will say that the sanest breathing thing in our family is the cat and she should be in charge of Peter's affairs and the rest of us are sacked!!!)
Questions asked, bits of paper filled in and papers now lodged at court - so just a case of waiting for a date now, which hopefully be soon.
We are still having issues with Social Work. (like - who isn't?!?!?)
Before we went away, Lou had phoned them to find out who our care manager was. Simple enough, you would think, but simple, easy and logic are not words to be used with City of Glasgow Social Work. Man - for supposedly educated people they are really nice but dim Tims!!
We do not have a care manager.
We will not be allocated one unless there is a crisis.
What have i been saying for years?!? Put in a bit of help early on and the crisis times may not be so bad. Bit of early intervention.
WHY is this soooooooo hard for them to understand.
We were told that we could write and request to have a manager allocated, but we prob wouldn't get one. They are too busy.
Well - i'm too busy to keep chasing them up!!!
Oh - and by the way - we have pencilled in a review meeting on the 11th of April they said!!
Well cheers for telling us lads - nice to know another meeting has been arrange for a time and place unspecified, that we couldn't go to because they didn't TELL us where and what time!!
Gettingthedejavousfeeling.com
So Louise was tasked with phoning SW while we were away making merry.
Now - as i'm sure you have all discovered, nothing is easy Chez Johnston. Why do anything the easy way, when hard is so much more fun and adds grey hairs to my head and wrinkles to my face.
Caroline from Enable phones and asked if Peter would do a presentation with her about his support. So in between washing, ironing and packing, i looked out some of Peter's artwork for him to take with him.
I had tried to e mail some photos to Caroline, but it kept telling me they couldn't be sent. Eventually i gave up.
Monday morning, off we went. Bus left at 10am. Just as well we had booked seats - no spare seats at all. As the bus boarded, i phoned Alisdair to ask him to let Caroline know about the photos and with some ideas of who might have some photos she could use from other presentations.
Journey up was lovely - weather was good and it promised to be a good week.
Linda had been a bit down in the dumps - one of her cats - Leo - had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago. He had been out and about round Portree (probably bossing other cats about!!). He got home and really wasn't well. Linda got him to the Vet and they think some pesticide/anti freeze poisoning was to blame. Sadly, things were too far gone for the treatment to help.
We knew we were going to miss the ginga one!!
Harry - our local friendly taxi driver - was there to meet us. He jokingly asked me not to send Paul off to church the day Celtic and Rangers were playing - He knew which side Paul would pray for and reckoned HIS side needed all the prayers going!!!
Got back to Linda's - normally she tells us just to go straight in, but for some reason, she said she'd go in first - to make sure John couldn't get out.
Normally, John doesn't go out, so i wondered what was going on.
That was till Linda moved out of the way and in Yasmin's arms was the most adorable, cute, smoochie faced ginger and white kitten!!!!
Awww - they had decided to give this lovely puss a home. Gerry (called after some actor or other, mmm........ Gerard Butler. Never 'eard of 'im!!!!!)
We were in love!!
It was nice to catch up with Lachie again and Yasmin was looking good.
Goodies unpacked - Southern Comfort, Kimble's chocs, Dishwashing tablets!!!
I know - i'm sad. Some people's contraband is booze and drugs.
I just smuggle Finish Dishwasher tablets over the sea!!!!
Well - my excuse is that they were on special offer in Poundland!!!
The saddest bit tho - Linda was so pleased to get them!
We are indeed slip sliding raucously towards (and past!!) middle age!!!!
The next couple of days were spent eating, walking, drinking, talking........... Balm to soothe the soul. I hadn't realised how tired i was and i needed the peace.
The fun part came teatime on wednesday.
Louise phoned and told me i really should have my mobile on. (my excuse is that reception is sh*t!!)
She had phoned SW.
They knew nothing of a meeting on the 11th.
(why are we not surprised here!?!?!)
And they are all soooooo busy with people transferring on to SDS that they will not have time to have a meeting till at least august, prob September, but then, who knows???
Oh really, says Lou. Well - YOU told us of the meeting. And anyway - did they not know of the renewal of the guardianship. Surely the MHO had been in touch?? (damn - he works in the same building.)
He hadn't been pleased at the lack of input from SW. They are meant to be in contact at least twice a year because we are guardians and are looking after Peter's affairs. We could have been doing loads we weren't meant to.
They should also be monitoring the support and be available for times when it all goes downhill, but no.
Mind you - they did get a bit antsy when legal stuff was mentioned. They said they would chat to the senior and get back to us. Well - a week on, nothing.
No calls, Alisdair has tried to get in touch - no luck .
As if i don't have enough to do without adding THEIR job onto mine.
Thankfully, Linda was on hand with Pizza, onion rings and a large drink.
Thank goodness for friends of 40 years standing - they can read us like books!!!!
So we made plans for our next visit - most likely august, where i will smuggle more booze, chocs, posh nosh for the cats and anything else that looks good!!!!
So by thursday evening, we were home. Everyone else out, only Lilo at home to welcome us and the dirty washing!!!
Peter went off friday with Caroline and i had the delights of smelly clothes to wash. Thankfully, the good weather meant i got all the stuff out and dry and ended up with a pile of ironing.
So our plans for the holidays are to relax. I might get the boys to try and tidy the bedroom (ha!! May never be found alive!!!)
We're doing some more presentations with Enable in the next few months, which will be fun, scary, good......................
But for now........................ i need some sleep and maybe a little drink!!!
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Ohana means family..............
....................... And family means no one gets left behind.
This is kinda how I feel about Peter - he shouldn't be left behind, even tho he had learning disabilities.
It seems to have worked - i hope!!
Mind you, over the years my family has changed.
Sometimes thru choice - having the children.
Sometimes by circumstance - people have died.
And sometimes it's because i just cannot have people in my life any more.
Some people can be so toxic that for your sanity and the sanity of the people who stay with you - you just have to get rid of them!
Yes - i make light of it just now, but honestly - i didn't want or need the hassles - i can make enough of that for myself without someone else dumping on me!!
So now ohana means Matthew and the kids. (can't leave them out!!)
Some of my cousins - Ann Marie makes lovely dresses - Lou will model if you wish!!! And Tam and Phil - god help you if you ever say anything bad about Peter. You will be felled by one look that says "don't dare"!!
Friends - some of them I have known for years and we dip in and out of each others lives - Does that sound like us Linda Mac?!?!?
Some of them i know through mu Unique Family. Lynne and Ali come to mind. We support each other and spend time Fbing or e mailing and we have met at family weekends. Some of the other Unique families i've not met, but maube i will - one day.
And some friends are cyber friends - i may not ever meet them, but they ARE friends.
So family is what you make it. It may not be what everyone else has, but if it works for you, heck - don't knock it!
This is kinda how I feel about Peter - he shouldn't be left behind, even tho he had learning disabilities.
It seems to have worked - i hope!!
Mind you, over the years my family has changed.
Sometimes thru choice - having the children.
Sometimes by circumstance - people have died.
And sometimes it's because i just cannot have people in my life any more.
Some people can be so toxic that for your sanity and the sanity of the people who stay with you - you just have to get rid of them!
Yes - i make light of it just now, but honestly - i didn't want or need the hassles - i can make enough of that for myself without someone else dumping on me!!
So now ohana means Matthew and the kids. (can't leave them out!!)
Some of my cousins - Ann Marie makes lovely dresses - Lou will model if you wish!!! And Tam and Phil - god help you if you ever say anything bad about Peter. You will be felled by one look that says "don't dare"!!
Friends - some of them I have known for years and we dip in and out of each others lives - Does that sound like us Linda Mac?!?!?
Some of them i know through mu Unique Family. Lynne and Ali come to mind. We support each other and spend time Fbing or e mailing and we have met at family weekends. Some of the other Unique families i've not met, but maube i will - one day.
And some friends are cyber friends - i may not ever meet them, but they ARE friends.
So family is what you make it. It may not be what everyone else has, but if it works for you, heck - don't knock it!
Friday, 3 February 2012
It's been one of those...............
............................Days.
No - forget that, it's been one of those weeks!
Last weekend, 2 of matthew's extended family died in less than 24 hours.
Ok - that happens in families we thought. Just have to wait and see about funerals.
Sunday afternoon, i came downstairs. I'm not sure if i lost my footing on the bottom stair, or if i tripped over the handle of a bag. But i went flying, head first to the living room door and landed on my bad knee.
If my knee hadn't been so sore, i'd be laughing with you.
[Go on - admit it - you're just laughing at the thought of been flying about 6 or 7 feet across the hall!!!]
So i hobbled about for the rest of the afternoon, feeling sorry for myself.
Well - nobody else did! Once they had made sure i could move and no bones were broken, they went back to whatever they were doing!!!!
Monday morning, we had to go see the Lawyer. She had sent us a draft copy of her submission for court, so we had to go over that. Some parts we took out, some parts we expanded on. Then Louise decided we were going for lunch.
She wanted Frankie and Benny's Brownies and she wanted them NOW!!
Dilemma du jour on tuesday was the washing machine. Well - it wouldn't wash and i had a basket full of dirty clothes. Thankfully, my friend Anne came and took the jeans and towels and did them for you. Thank goodness for friends!!
Wednesday brought the washing Machine repair man. I took Peter to college and went for a swim, since he was not meant to arrive till lunchtime. (he was to phone to let us know when he'd be at our house)
But at 10.30, he arrived!!
I got home to be nagged at for 1) not actually telling Louise what was wrong with the WM and 2) for not having my mobile phone on!! (well - i didn't have the phone with me!!!)
Now - i'm not too sure WHERE i was meant to put my mobile while swimming up and down the pool! Any suggestions/ideas/ comments may be address to my daughter!!!!
Poor Lilo was totally spooked by the repair man!! She went scooting upstairs when he first came in. And when he came back, she went behind the couch and refused to come out. Even the offer of Kitty Treats did not entice her!
And given that she had been put on meagre rations by the vet nurse because she was overweight!! And by Wednesday afternoon she was starving. I mean - one sachet of food + 5 bits of Kitty Biccies doth not keep a cat happy.
Yes - that was to be her rations for the day.
She has protested and we have upped the rations and will deal with the not so slim vet nurse in a month!!!
By that evening, we found that both funerals were on the same day, within 1/2 an hour of each other and about 6 miles apart!!! (you couldn't have done that if you had tried!!!) So Matthew, Lou + Paul knew which one they were going to. I opted not to take Peter and i had a doc's appointment in the morning.
And the washing Machine decided to play up again!!! Just to keep me going.
My friend May came up for lunch - we had planned on going out, but the way things went i just said to come to me. Josh arrived to take Peter out and every time i went to make up our lunch, the phone would ring, or something would happen. I was for running away.
Matthew came home and managed to sort the machine - so no call out.
Louise and i took May back home and then escaped to go shopping.
This worm is turning and taking a bit of me time!!!
SO that gets us to today. Got home after doing the shopping. To find a letter from the Tax Office waiting for me. I opened it - it had my name, my address and my national insurance number. It was telling me of my tax code for the next year and that they would be informing my employers of iot and mentioned the name of a company i have never heard of!!
Now, given that i have been a full time carer for many years and find it hard enough to put everything i need to into my day, it would be hard for me to add paid work into the equation!!!
So i had to phone the tax office - on hold for 20 minutes, then got to speak to a human. She couldn't explain why that had happened, asked me to wait while she updated my files and put me on hold. When she got back to me, files were updated and she said they would be investigating why it had happened.
I know - on a grand scale, my week hasn't been as bad as some. Just kept feeling that i was tripping over my feet ever time i moved!!!
Oh - and i didn't even tell you about the 3 letters from the council about our community charge, with 3 different amounts to be paid by the end of March and we didn't know which was the right one!!!
And the council wonder WHY they have no money!!!
On a better note, Lynne and Jack will be heading home from hospital soon - i'm really glad about that.
Peter is off to respite next weekend and is looking forward to it!!
We seem to have a couple of good workers for Peter - Alisdair told us that Josh was "Kinda Arty", so was looking forward to supporting Peter at art class.
Now - that statement is like saying that Michaelangelo emulsion painted the walls and ceiling of a little church in Rome!!
Josh has a degree in art from the Art School of Glasgow!!!!
It was amusing when he admitted where he had done his degree and what it was in!!!
So things can only get better. Lilo is happy she's getting a bit more food and isn't so spooked now - she has taken a liking to crawling under the fleecy blankets on my bed and hiding!! (tho it has to be said, she only lies on Matthew's side of the bed!!!)
Have a good weekend all. I'm going to have a small drink tonight to get over the week!!!
No - forget that, it's been one of those weeks!
Last weekend, 2 of matthew's extended family died in less than 24 hours.
Ok - that happens in families we thought. Just have to wait and see about funerals.
Sunday afternoon, i came downstairs. I'm not sure if i lost my footing on the bottom stair, or if i tripped over the handle of a bag. But i went flying, head first to the living room door and landed on my bad knee.
If my knee hadn't been so sore, i'd be laughing with you.
[Go on - admit it - you're just laughing at the thought of been flying about 6 or 7 feet across the hall!!!]
So i hobbled about for the rest of the afternoon, feeling sorry for myself.
Well - nobody else did! Once they had made sure i could move and no bones were broken, they went back to whatever they were doing!!!!
Monday morning, we had to go see the Lawyer. She had sent us a draft copy of her submission for court, so we had to go over that. Some parts we took out, some parts we expanded on. Then Louise decided we were going for lunch.
She wanted Frankie and Benny's Brownies and she wanted them NOW!!
Dilemma du jour on tuesday was the washing machine. Well - it wouldn't wash and i had a basket full of dirty clothes. Thankfully, my friend Anne came and took the jeans and towels and did them for you. Thank goodness for friends!!
Wednesday brought the washing Machine repair man. I took Peter to college and went for a swim, since he was not meant to arrive till lunchtime. (he was to phone to let us know when he'd be at our house)
But at 10.30, he arrived!!
I got home to be nagged at for 1) not actually telling Louise what was wrong with the WM and 2) for not having my mobile phone on!! (well - i didn't have the phone with me!!!)
Now - i'm not too sure WHERE i was meant to put my mobile while swimming up and down the pool! Any suggestions/ideas/ comments may be address to my daughter!!!!
Poor Lilo was totally spooked by the repair man!! She went scooting upstairs when he first came in. And when he came back, she went behind the couch and refused to come out. Even the offer of Kitty Treats did not entice her!
And given that she had been put on meagre rations by the vet nurse because she was overweight!! And by Wednesday afternoon she was starving. I mean - one sachet of food + 5 bits of Kitty Biccies doth not keep a cat happy.
Yes - that was to be her rations for the day.
She has protested and we have upped the rations and will deal with the not so slim vet nurse in a month!!!
By that evening, we found that both funerals were on the same day, within 1/2 an hour of each other and about 6 miles apart!!! (you couldn't have done that if you had tried!!!) So Matthew, Lou + Paul knew which one they were going to. I opted not to take Peter and i had a doc's appointment in the morning.
And the washing Machine decided to play up again!!! Just to keep me going.
My friend May came up for lunch - we had planned on going out, but the way things went i just said to come to me. Josh arrived to take Peter out and every time i went to make up our lunch, the phone would ring, or something would happen. I was for running away.
Matthew came home and managed to sort the machine - so no call out.
Louise and i took May back home and then escaped to go shopping.
This worm is turning and taking a bit of me time!!!
SO that gets us to today. Got home after doing the shopping. To find a letter from the Tax Office waiting for me. I opened it - it had my name, my address and my national insurance number. It was telling me of my tax code for the next year and that they would be informing my employers of iot and mentioned the name of a company i have never heard of!!
Now, given that i have been a full time carer for many years and find it hard enough to put everything i need to into my day, it would be hard for me to add paid work into the equation!!!
So i had to phone the tax office - on hold for 20 minutes, then got to speak to a human. She couldn't explain why that had happened, asked me to wait while she updated my files and put me on hold. When she got back to me, files were updated and she said they would be investigating why it had happened.
I know - on a grand scale, my week hasn't been as bad as some. Just kept feeling that i was tripping over my feet ever time i moved!!!
Oh - and i didn't even tell you about the 3 letters from the council about our community charge, with 3 different amounts to be paid by the end of March and we didn't know which was the right one!!!
And the council wonder WHY they have no money!!!
On a better note, Lynne and Jack will be heading home from hospital soon - i'm really glad about that.
Peter is off to respite next weekend and is looking forward to it!!
We seem to have a couple of good workers for Peter - Alisdair told us that Josh was "Kinda Arty", so was looking forward to supporting Peter at art class.
Now - that statement is like saying that Michaelangelo emulsion painted the walls and ceiling of a little church in Rome!!
Josh has a degree in art from the Art School of Glasgow!!!!
It was amusing when he admitted where he had done his degree and what it was in!!!
So things can only get better. Lilo is happy she's getting a bit more food and isn't so spooked now - she has taken a liking to crawling under the fleecy blankets on my bed and hiding!! (tho it has to be said, she only lies on Matthew's side of the bed!!!)
Have a good weekend all. I'm going to have a small drink tonight to get over the week!!!
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