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.

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The amazing doctors, nurses and the whole family that cared for my granddad before he passed away.

My nan needed two carers to come in every day - they dealt with lifting her out of bed (needed a hoist), washing, changing pads and feeding tubes. They were amazing, always friendly and I'm so glad they meant she could stay with us at home rather than go into nursing care. I didn't know at the time just how badly paid and how poor their working conditions were and that makes their dedication even more impressive.

We had a 24 hour care team when my DH was diagnosed with MS and a terminal brain tumour, each and everyone of them were lovely to all of our family.
Daily visits from the district nurses meant that he was able to have his wish to die at home.
Our young adults have autism, I employ a team of support workers, without their support, the support from social workers, college staff and respite provision, our family wouldn't be able to stay together.
Carers don't get enough praise or appreciation for the value they add to people's lives.

In my Mum's last few years, she really could have done with a carer, but didn't get the help she needed. She lived in sheltered accommodation and the warden there was on hand whenever she pressed the panic button. This was ok in an emergency, but really, Mum could have done with more care. With a baby and a pre-schooler, I was not as much use as I would have liked to be.

My parents had a few carers which helped with everyday tasks and have been a great company for them. I don't think I could function without carer's help.

I have been a carer and it's the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It is exhausting and relentless and you feel separate from the rest of the world. I have total admiration for all carers and the work they do. It's either unpaid or very badly paid so carers are very special people.

My Dad has spent all of his life caring for the sick and bereaved so it is hard for him now to be disabled and to need care himself. The carers who help him are absolutely wonderful, kind and patient. They give my mum much needed support in helping him to dress, wash and simply get out of bed. I think the higher paid fat cats in government should definitely be giving their pay rises to these often unsung heroes that are on the fighting line everyday, really helping to change peoples lives for the better.

My partner is my carer I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago so he helps me out on bad days and helps me lead a normal life. We also care for our son who has autism and sensory processing disorder.

I was a carer for my nan from the age of 6 after my grandad died 1st was helping her take a bath to making a drink beds washing and putting her tablets in to day boxes my mum was a single mum of 3 also looking after my nan and working sye everywhere i could help i would now mother of 3 myself i have loads of help of my sister (who cant have children so love helping with her niece and nephews) she a good send one phone call and she comes running even tho she work it a care home herself i really miss looking after my nan she sadly passed away 2 years again from cancer

Here in Wales, you cannot fault the support. The carers are great round here

The wonderful people who looked after my nan in her last few years. She suffered with parkinsons and dementia - horrible. They made life much more bearable

On my first year placement I shadowed a care agency and on the first day out with a carer we were reversed into and the carers first thought was the people she needed to get to care for.

I saw them adapt to be whatever the person needed. Kind loving and nurturing to the majority. No nonsense and direct with those who wanted that approach. Respectful and helpful to the parents of the disabled child.

They constantly adapted to the needs of the service users and took whatever changes with thrown at them. I was amazed at the dedication to each and every service user. However I was angry at the lack of support they got from the agency and constantly being stretched to do more without care packages being increased (first job always furthest away from home and no enough to time to get to visits)

My husband is my full-time carer as I have M.E., Fibromyalgia and various mental health problems. He is a godsend. Nothing is too big or small for him to help me with and I credit him with me still being here.

my mother in law had several carers before she passed away. they were all great and even with the limited time they had always made time for a chat

My nephew received end of life care as a baby and the staff/carers were beyond lovely making a horrible situation a tiny bit more bearable for my sister.

My granny had dementia, and we moved her into a flat next door to our house, and she had a live in carer, called Betty. Betty (and her dog) became family. She was kind, funny and generous. She kept a lovely routine, but never minded when we popped over (all the time) to see her. She helped my granny stay dignified, cooked her healthy stuff (and the sticky puddings she loved), and she was wonderful. She was a beautiful human being. My granny had wonderful last years.

my husband is disabled and my teenage kids help with the shopping, the washing, talking to him, spending time taking him out. Without my 'teenage carers, life would be so much harder.

As a 6th former I did a placement in a home for people with learning disabilities. I remember the carers well, how they went over and above for the residents. We went shopping, swimming, for walks and lots of activities every day. I didn't realise just how much they do until I did my nurse training and realised this home was particularly exceptional.

My mum has severe Parkinsons and has a lovely lady come in a couple of times a week to help out with the cleaning, washing etc but she is made of gold and bends over backwards for my Mum. She is forever taking her out in her own time for breakfast, bringing her shopping etc. She also helps all her other patients/customers above and beyond to. My late Nan used her for many years and it was lovely knowing she was there for her all the time.

My 75 year old mum had a near-fatal stroke in February of this year. After a few weeks in hospital, she has daily physio at home and lots of visits from nurses and her recovery is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to them and mom's determination, she's doing fantastically.

I was in hospital for a long time and one healthcare assistant made it so much more bearable as she made me feel like a normal person. She spoke to me like a friend rather than a patient and I looked forward to her being on duty.

I have a carer myself as i'm confined to a wheelchair, the difference she makes to my life is unbelievable, she gave me back the freedom to actually go out and enjoy my life. I don't think carers get the credit they deserve, if it wasn't for my carer I know my life would be so boring, she helps me in so many ways and she always has a smile on her face, we have so much fun together and after having her now for over a year i'm proud to be able to call her a close friend.

I have carers three times a day, they are invaluable. Even doing things technically not within their remit, such as plunging the sink or fixing the toilet seat.

I don't think you should 'celebrate' paid carers! Sorry but the clue there is that they are PAID. I'm sure most of them are lovely but still.

It's unpaid carers you should be celebrating. Not only do they work for free and so so mostly without recognition, they save the tax payer billions!

my mum is my carer i dont know what i would do with out her not only is she coping with my illness she is ill herself and also cares for my brother with special needs we both would not cope without her i would love her to have a special treat be spoilt for once