Share when a carer made all the difference to you with TrustFord - chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The team at TrustFord would love to hear from MNers who have contact with carers (formal or informal) and to hear the stories when a carer made a really big difference to you/ your family.

TrustFord say "We know that having the right tool for the job makes all the difference, and we believe it’s the same when it comes to cars. Motability is a car scheme to get disabled people on the road and recent changes have meant that more people with mental disabilities are now able to join. Here at TrustFord our dedicated Motability Specialists in each dealership get to know you and those you care for to ensure that you drive away in a vehicle perfect for your lifestyle".

To find out more about how TrustFord can help you and your family get on the road with the Motability scheme watch this video.

So please share on this thread your story of how a carer (or carers) have helped you or your family - this could be someone caring for your child in your home, someone working with your elderly parent (or grandparent) or with someone in your family who has a disability or additional needs - we want to celebrate the difference they make to everyday life. This could include informal carers/ support volunteers etc.

Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks, and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

NB: Wholly owned by Ford Motor Company and operating as an independent dealer group with its own board of directors and operating strategies, TrustFord is part of the Ford Retail Group which also owns and operates TrustFirstParts.
Accredited as one of the Sunday Times Top 25 Companies to work for, TrustFord operates a network of 60 dealership sites throughout the UK and Channel Islands. It employs 3,200 staff all of whom are focused on Driving the Standard in Customer Care.
On the website, you can find out more about their New and Used Cars, Motability vehicles or vans, as well as the latest Offers, Servicing options, and the latest driving advice.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

I'm a carer for my wife, which is part of being married . I hope she see's it as something only I can do with love and affection

My partner returned home from an operation last year and couldn't walk for 12 weeks
We had a new born and a 5 year old that I needed to get ready for school, mornings were really rushed
My partner's carer wasn't just a carer she was a great friend that made time not only for my partner but for me too
she actually came 30 minutes early to help me get the little ones ready I can't believe how kind and generous she was
she was only meant to be here for my partner but she made sure all of our family was supported
She was the most lovely kind hearted person and i felt very comfortable around her
we still stay in touch :)

With my first child I was a single parent and we lived entirely on my income and life was hard. My son was home educated because he didn't fit into the school system when young and my wonderful parents not only cared for him when I was at work but also supervised the school work i set. My father taught him maths and my eldest later read mathematics at university.

One of my best friends has terminal cancer (not yet 30) and the wonderful carers have helped her immensely, we're still managing little trips out ATM with their support

When my nan was in her final days we became unable to provide the level of care she needed so a wonderful local charity made sure we had someone with us to help with all the jobs we needed. If I won these vouchers I'd definitely treat them to something to say thank you

My MIL was in a couple of care homes before her death from Parkinsons. One had mainly older staff who lived locally and had done the job for years or had cared for their own parents. They were brilliant, and one lady in particular, who took time to speak to DH and to see how he was, and how he was coping driving 100+ miles each way with 5 year old DS and me in the car, and her experience of caring for her own parents. Ironically, when MIL died I'd gone to get the death certificate and stopped off en route to get DH a sandwich as I knew he hadn't eaten. The carer, on her day off, was the next person to join the queue behind me and asked how MIL was as it had been a couple of days since she'd worked and she recognised me even though we only went at weekends and MIL was only there a few months.

That compasion for the residents and their families lifted her role, and that home, for us, in comparison to other places MIL had stayed in previously.

I have always had problems with my mother, so she has been in and out of my children's lives. My manager at work who has now retired has been a permanent part of my children's lives along with her husband. My kids love spending time with them, and they are so reliable. They never forget the kids Birthdays and go out of their way to get them something very appropriate. My son has autism and she always gets something which she knows will help him. She has also provided support to me when I have needed it and is there whenever we need her.

My Dad had a lovely carer she always went that extra mile nothing was too much trouble she always had time to chat have a cup of tea and never made us feel guilty if we had to phone or ask for advice, she really did make a difference to our lives

My elderly parents found living at home increasingly difficult, especially my mother. However, a very supportive team of carers made it possible for them to stay together in their house until just a few weeks before they died.

My fil has been a care for his mother his whole life. The job he does is amazing and she wouldn't be able to function with out him. It's very hard the state she's in but he never fails in his duties.

We had an amazing support worker when DS1 was a toddler and had been diagnosed with a number of developmental issues. Somehow she turned him from a frustrated and angry little boy who couldn't express himself or connect with anyone besides us to a happy, excited little person who looked forward to her visits and met her at the door with a hug and a huge beaming smile.

My Grandma had a carer for a while. They were very lovely and cooked her meals.

My neighbour really took me under her wing when I was growing up. She'd look out for me, give me career advice and always be there with open ears and a cup of tea. I really owe her a lot and it makes me so happy how kind some people can be.

when my mum was in last stages of cancer and I was living overseas, my lovely cousin went to see her everyday and stayed for hours. They would laugh and gossip together and my cousin would do my mums nails for her as she was always so proud of her appearance. I will never forget what my cousin did for my mum and it made my mums last few weeks much more bearable and kept her feeling as much like herself as possible rather then just "the sick person"

A friend came back from a post graduate trip round the world. I was working part time as that's all I could manage due to ill health.

As he didn't have his own place he crashed on my sofa. I started to come home from work to find washing had been done, or vacuuming etc.

He now takes on a full caring roll, he makes sure I take the right meds, cleans and cooks and we laugh a lot.

He is in his own place now but still does so much for me, all of the above and more . It has allowed me to study further and to work full time.

He has basically put his own life/career on hold for 10 years to allow me to pursue mine.

my grandma has great carers, always interested to know about her life

My son who had school phobia received amazing care and support from a retired teacher called Freda, who was so patient with him. She was about 4feet tall and my son was 6 feet tall and she helped him when he couldn't go to school. I am always so thankful that she was on his side.

My mum has helped so much with my son, he is on the autistic spectrum, she loves him completely, and has the patience I sometimes do not have with his obsessions and rituals, she gives me the time out I need and the time and love he needs. I do not know what he would be like without the time he spends with her.

The lady who cares for both my grandparents is amazing. She does everything from wash and clean them, dress and cook and clean for them, to help them buy new shoes, get to doctor appointments as well as help my grandad take out and put back in his teeth. My mum and aunt would have gone mad without her and I truly believe we would have had to put both of my grandparents in a home, which would have been hard for everyone. They live in their own home and are together and it's all thanks to a wonderful caring lady who does all these things in a caring and respectful way - even if my grandad or grandma are behaving like toddlers or shouting and screaming at her. Calm and serene, she's like a mary poppins for gereatrics!!

My Dad has a carer who visits each weekday and one day a week she takes him into town to do some shopping and have lunch out he loves these trips and as we are working it means we can spend our weekends and evening with him , we couldnt do without his wonderful Steph

Im disabled and have been since age 22 when my second child was born. At the time i had a 1 year old and a new baby and i suddenly became ill with autoimmune arthritis throughout my body , it was devastating. My older children have grown up with me being ill and as they grew became young carers , My mum and dad and husband have all been amazing , but my children have been wonderful too. They havent really known any other way though. They are now 17 and 18 and i have a 3 year old too . I have lots of help and it was very hard at first getting used to my new life but my family have made things a whole lot easier. People dont always realise how young children help out so much as young carers

I nursed my mum through a serious illness, which included oxygen therapy at home. I couldn't have managed without the wonderful community lung carer who came in every day. Quite often it was just for a chat with either mum or me, but having someone who you got to know quite well, and could help with the mental stress and worry as well as the practicalities of coping with an ultimately fatal illness was invaluable.

I had my 1st child 2 years ago, and look after my elderly parents who have health needs (diabetes and MS). I contacted my local council who arranged a direct payment for my parents. I looked for a carer who I could have faith in and trust to look after mum and dad. I found the most wonderful lady, Mary, who I pay to come in four times a day to look after mum and dad, do their shopping laundry and light cleaning. The direct payment is also used for a cleaner to carry out a full clean once a week. It has meant I can not feel as tired from all the caring, being a better mummy, and Mary is a family friend, she looks after mum and dad so well, they are happier too, and the time I spend with them is now quality time rather than me rushing around being stressed and tired.

The carer who looked after my daughter (multiple disabilities) for us to take her older sister away overnight for a treat as she often misses out. That break meant the world to my eldest daughter and she still speaks of it today :)

My sons primary school teacher back in KS1 was fabulous. She helped us on our first steps to getting our son diagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome. She went completely above and beyond, outside of her daily role as his caring teacher. She wrote a letter to our GP, She helped with paperwork, gave advice, spoke to professionals....truly amazing. Even our GP commented on how brilliant she was, and said she completely trusted her judgment and pushed for us to see a particular paediatrician in our local hospital on her advice. We owe Hera huge amount!