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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My father in law passed away last Sunday from pnemonia he suffered from dementia from the age of 53 and died at the age of 62, so for many years he was cared for by my mother in law and a group of careers who were exceptional helping her to shower him and put him to bed .they took a very stressful time and helped make it easier for her . I don't think they are paid enough or respected enough . If I won these vouchers I would treat my mother in law as she needs to start rebuilding her life again and it's tough

My step-dad does a sterling job of caring for my mum who has had Parkinson's for the past 20 years. He gives her medication, gets up
To her in the night, washes for her, cooks for her, cleans for her and gives her confidence in her own home. He is over 70 himself and is a very kind hearted man. What a hero.

If I win this prize I will be giving the vouchers to a friend of mine, she was the sole carer for her grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease for 8 years, she received NO help for the first 6 years, she had to gave up her job, lost her home and had to sell everything that she'd worked hard for so she could continue to look after grandmother right til the very end. She was 28, a single mum and during that time she still managed to get a degree whilst making sure her grandmother had the best care possible. If you don't have any first hand experience with Alzheimer’s disease then you can't even begin to understand just how much she deserves to win this. Such an inspiration

My mother was looked after by carers in Wales for her last couple of months who came 3-4 times a day. They were everything we could have wished for and more: friendly, chatty, warm, easy-going, always ready to help and listen, never in a rush, sympathetic and cheerful. They were truly angelic. I could relax while they were there and my mother looked forward to seeing them. As an only child, they were a huge support to have and even though I have lost my mum now, I have happy memories of that period, thanks in large part to them.

My mother was the most amazing carer to my grandmother when she had alzheimers, I can't say any of the people that were actually employed to help really made a difference but it was my mother's patience and understanding that made the big difference.

My mum went for a respite break (dementia) and when I went to visit, after walking round the grounds with my mum, I was saying to one of the carers how she didn't know me anymore. The carer said to me: but she has followed you everywhere from the minute you arrived. She might not know that you're her daughter but she knows your voice and that you are someone she can trust and she wants to be with you.
That's always stayed with me ... some comfort in a very upsetting situation.

My mother had a short term carer when she became very ill.
Her carer was more of a support worker / counsellor after my mother had a nervous breakdown - it was only temporary until she got back on her feet but the emotional support that was provided was fantastic.

My mum's carer is amazing - my mum was very resistant to having a formal carer but the strain on me was huge with a family and working. The carer has really befriended mum, and mum doesn't feel like she has a carer as such, more a friend. The lady has even offered more than once to take my mum to appointments on her day off. They actually have a laugh together and mum has even played tricks on the carer (it's kept her happy!)

the best and most grateful help iv ever had is from my next door neighbor, when i had my 3rd so it ended as a c section, i already had a c section 11 months before had with my 2nd child and knew i was going to need someone i could trust to help.
i had my 3.5 year old, my 11 month old and a new born and i was dreading it! being home alone i knew i would struggle and i never liked to ask for help but she was there for the first few weeks during the day to help out, she did the nursery runs with my 3.5 year old and she even helped me sort out my son's 1st birthday (i had a week to get it sorted after getting out of the hospital) after 2 weeks i wanted to get back to normal so we took a trip down town....things took a turn of the worse and i ended up rather poorly and she was happy to step in and carry on helping me, she really did an amazing job and iv never been able to thank her enough

I have a carer who helps my child with autism. She comes to my home twice a week to help give me a break and spends a lot of time with my daughter. They are very close and she is one of the few people my daughter is comfortable with and who i am comfortable leaving her with. This also helps the rest of the family because it allows me to spend more time with my other children and take them out twice a week.

My mother carers to come and help with cleaning etc for the short time that she was allowed home before she had to go into a hospice. Two women came and helped me with general cleaning and chatted with her. It was arranged by my friend who knew someone who worked in the hospice she was going to. She was very uncomfortable with it ( and very ill) , but they were kind and friendly to her. They also fussed around my new baby - just having someone to cuddle him and keep him happy while I spent precious time with my mum helped lighten the weight on my shoulders a bit .

Our carer Liz, made a massive difference to my mum. She was disabled but managed to live at home with support for many more years with Liz's support. Mum developed Alzheimer's, slowly at first and Liz went out of her way to help. I lived 120 miles away and it was a huge comfort to me to know mum was in such good hands. Mum has passed away now, but I'm still in touch with Liz, and we will always be grateful to her for all her exceptional care. She became like a sister to me.

My mum had carers come in to help
With my fathers care after he had a bad heart attack that left him bedbound. They were the most thoughtful people you could
Imagine. Without their help
He would of had to stay in a care home. Will be for vet grateful for them

Caters played a big part in my grans life before she sadly passed away. When she was involved in an accident it was only fair we made sure she was safe and secure. She moved into a care home which she wasn't keen on however the staff made her welcome. The caters where extraordinary with my gran as she could be very demanding. They helped from little things such as helping to the bathroom to taking her out on days out. They always made sure she had her choice, independence, respect etc. No one realises how hard being a carer can be and to all the. Caters out there I've got so much respect for them x

My daughter had a carer from carer's trust, she was amazing! Came when my daughter was just over 1 years old. My daughter is now 11 years old and Carer has retired this year. My daughter was so fond of her and adored her. Pamela went out of her way to cater for my daughter's needs. I could trust her and get on with my errands.. and do my shopping etc. I have four children... they all adore my daughter's carer. We miss her but We still keep in touch.

we have a team of carers for my granny. granny has scoliosis (sp) of the spine and spent a lot of her youth in hospital. granny has one leg longer than the other due to her condition, she has had countless operations over the years and is in constant pain, as a result she now uses a wheelchair. granny needs help with all her basic needs now. my mum stays there during the week, sometimes for a month at a time as she lives 3 hours away, my uncle lives near by and he goes everyday to help out. i go up every other weekend to give my uncle and mum a break, and when we are all unavailable my cousin charlotte goes in and helps. charlotte works as a carer and we would be lost without her help. granny wants to be able to stay in her own home and charlotte has helped us get the aides and help granny needs to be able to do that. if one of us isnt there at meal times then they just have sandwiches or cup a soups as granny cant get to the kitchen and grandad has a pacemaker and cant use the microwave anymore. i used to work as a carer myself in both a care home and in the clients own homes so i know how hard a job it is, but its very rewarding. im very grateful that we have a system in place that means my granny can stay in her own home and be well looked after.

I had a car crash 15 years ago and to this day I have many problems resulting from this I have Fibromyalgia and Spondylosis which affects my mobility. My daughter Kara who is a hard working single parent who lives over 20 miles away,she comes to me many time a week to help with my bathing shopping cleaning, nothing is to much trouble for her and she never compains.If it wasn't for Kara I don't think I would be here today,she has just lost 5 stone and I am so proud to be her mum.she really is my Angel and I love her so much

over the years my family has had many carers and without them we as a family would not of coped so well, my Dad died of cancer, at my local cottage hospital the volunteer workers there were fantastic. when my eldest son at the age of 25 was told he had testicular cancer Marie Curie was wonderful to him and his wife. also my youngest daughter was born wit spina bifida, the spina bifida association was brilliant, they sent me a worker out to explain how to help my daughter and I, they are now still in touch with her and that was 29 years ago. So I say thank you to all who as helped me through the tough times.

My story always made me feel so guilty and still does. My daughter has been my carer since being around 9 years old, but not only for me, for her younger brother who has ADHD & Dyslexia, My daughter also suffers herself with Asthma & Eczema. Suffering domestic violence and living with the children in a refuge for 6 months was very traumatic and stressful situation to be in. It was after around two years of becoming settled, I myself became ill, which is when my daughter stepped in. I had weeks of sleeping in bed not being able to even get myself to the toilet. Doctors said it was depression but I just felt it wasn't as we were all happier than we had been for many years. It wasn't until years later, being in pain constantly, hardly being able to walk, a change of GP I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and ME. I am now mid 50's and my daughter late 20's and she has taken care of me all this time on her own. We never had any real support and she just does it all without complaining, even though she suffers badly with anxiety herself. I feel this is a result of not having a proper childhood or teenage life like others, we were quite isolated and not she finds it hard to be around others or socialise. I have big relapses and spend days and weeks constantly sleeping, she takes care of me so well, making sure I take my medication and drink and eat, even if it's just small amounts. She walks me to the toilet and even puts me in the bath or shower, depending if I can stand up. She does this all on her own, even though she struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, she is such a beautiful person inside and out who always makes me laugh. But with all these years of struggling so much and her taking it all in her stride, I still feel guilt, I feel as though she hasn't had a life because of me. I get upset with myself, but she just holds me in her arms and tells me she loves me...So that's my story, my hero is my daughter, without her, I don't think I would be here today.

Both my boys are young carers and part of a group that supports them, they do a lot for us and are exceptionally good in getting me out of a bipolar slump if need be. Without them I think getting out of a slump would be too difficult

Hi My name is Carla and my hubby Jamie is my carer i am a type 1 diabetic and been diabetic for 36 years this has left me with lots of complications i have nerve damage in my hands, Feet, legs, my tummy doesn't digest it is very slow in emptying , kidney disease i also suffer from fibromyalgia Asthma, blood pressure so my husband has to help me up and down in out of the shower cooks cleans helps me get dress and undressed brush my hair he is such an amazing person these last 12 months has been hard on us and our daughters i feel a very lucky lady to have so much care xxx

my father passed away on christmas eve 2016 from alzheimers
i was his full tiem carer for 3 years so ive seen very type of symptoms due to this terrible diesease
dad was incontinent too so sad i miss him so much

My grandmother had a carer who was amazing. More of a caring friend who would go above and beyond to make her feel special.

My grandfather had motor neuron disease, his carer was brilliant, he used to call her his angel, for his last Christmas, she gave him a Christmas angel ornament, he passed away shortly afterwards. My grandmother couldn't bear to pack the ornament away and it sat proudly on her mantel piece for years.

My father in law had amazing carers after his accident that wouldn't patronise him but take the mick out of him and wouldn't treat him differently because he know had a brain injury. He laughed with them and it really lifted his spirits.