Hi codandchips
I apologise if that's how I came across, I am a nurse and I spend my (paid) time caring for vulnerable people who need care. People who do uppaid care work are work are, in my eyes, are so unbelivably undervalued that it brings tears to my eyes, and are the saving grace of this country/government/society. If you were paid for the care you do (I'm including my mum and countless otheres, e.g. the spouse and children of every dementia/stroke/MS/cancer etc patient I have ever met) then the government would take notice.
I said that because as I described above, I was raised on a council estate, in a happy, loving, secure, hard working family. My dad worked bloody hard until he got sick at the very young age of 60, two years ago. He and mum gave their all to raise me and my brother, and as a result we went to a normal comprehensve school, colllege and the college/university for professional qualifications and both have good jobs etc, as we were supported by our parents througouy our eduction/training to get these.
However, as my parents were seeing us leave home and support ourselves, we were hoping they would finally being to enjoy their own money (and by this I mean a holiday abroad once a year, maybe a new car instead of a second hand one) that they had worked so hard for, when my Dad got unexpectedly sick.
He was denied benefts for a long time, he finally was awarded DLA of aprox. £62 per week, which was a bit of a reduction from a full-time wage, and now now to boot been told this will stop at the end of this financial year.
My dad now feels immensely guilty, because at 62 he is young in mind, but disabled in body, and has to see my mum work full time and struggle to pay their mortgae (they bought their council house a few years ago, as there were two full time wages coming in) and bills.
My last paragraph I think comes from my frustration from seeing my parents struggling to pay their mortgage on their council house, while around them people in their 20s and 30s do not work, have never worked, and do not struggle to pay for their houses and cars etc despite being able-bodied and more then capable of working (I relaise that may get me flamed but I lived there for 20 years so is just my experience)
The welfare state (and NHS etc, but I am biased!) is a glorious thing to behold. But, fundamentaly, it is based on the premise that people who can and should work will contribute to look after those unble to look after themselves. I hold this belief very firmly - those that can work, should work, and those that are vulnerable deserve the best care this (rich) country can provide. As such, my Dad, who contributed between the ages of 14-60, should be entitled to some benefits, but is being told he is not eligible. (as an aside, I also believe the gonvernment has a responsibility to provide jobs to the able - which they are not doing - bit that is another thread!)
As a carer, you and the person you care for (I am not being presumptious), deserve to benefit from the welfare state, not least because someone who needs care deserves tht care, and as a carer you contribute massively to the economy by not being paid.
So, I think I was venting my personal frustration in my above post, apologies if I offended you, and sorry too for any typos in my (rather long! reply!