I have found that the stress of caring for her
constantly, without any breaks, has got harder. It's been years since we've
been able to go away, and one day just slips into another. We are both very
isolated due to the nature of her disability and neither of us has any family
to speak of. We have gradually lost touch with friends and associates.
We did try to get some help from social services but they
haven't been much help as we would have to pay for any care or respite and we
can't afford it. This is now compounded by the recent benefit changes and
having to pay the "bedroom tax" for our so-called spare bedroom – my
partner sleeps in there. I am still quite a few years off retirement and don't
know if I can hang on that long the way things are going.
I am aware of a local carer's group but it's difficult
being a man, and it's difficult for me to leave my partner.
The only other way I have found of making contact with
others in similar situations is through social media and chat rooms for carers
and I am a private person. Really, it would be so nice to escape all this
occasionally and do something to take my mind off it all.
I'm sorry if this sounds self-pitying, I try not to be,
but we all need things in life to look forward to. This isn't a life for either
of us really, and I don't know when it will all end. I still love my partner a
lot and want her in my life, but not like this.
