Colin has been looking after his daughter Gemma, now 38, since her first operation at six weeks old.
Following a health visitor referral to the GP and hospital visit, Gemma was diagnosed as having brain damage, epilepsy and the right side of her body smaller than her left. Colin’s wife was Gemma’s main carer until 2002, when she suffered a stroke and sadly passed away in 2008. Colin has been Gemma’s sole carer since.
Caring has affected every aspect of Colin's life. As Gemma grew older carrying her up and down stairs in their family home became harder. As a result, in 1991, they moved into a bungalow that is much more practical. As Gemma is a wheelchair user, they must always think about physical accessibility whenever they go out.
In 2007, Colin stopped work. Gemma was going to a day care centre during the week as well as seven nights away with the respite service twice a year.
Colin was first referred to Carers First after a carers assessment by Medway Council Social Services. Colin soon got involved with going to a broad range of our social activities which gave him chance to leave his house whilst Gemma was at the day centre. It was at the same time the charity was recruiting new Trustees, a role that he did for several years.
“Carers First has been able to give me social contact that I never had. My job meant I always on my own. It is always useful to make friends and know that there is someone there that I can talk to; either in person or over the phone”.
The pandemic has been particularly tough for Colin. Gemma hasn’t been able to go to her day centre and Colin as her full-time carer, has not had a break in over a year and a half.
Colin's biggest worry is what if something happens to him, who will look after Gemma? He recently had an accident and fractured a bone in his leg and the hospital wanted to admit him immediately, however he could not stay in as he need to be at home with his daughter. His daughter and son help out as much as they can, but they have their own families.
During the pandemic Colin said that “Carers First helped me keep me socially active. As well as being a telephone befriender, they asked if I could join in with some telephone research to carers calling the Helpline. It gave me something to do, and lets me help in my small, little way”.
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