It is important that Carers look after their own health. A Carers' lifestyle is frequently restricted and many Carers become mentally and physically exhausted by their caring role. This can cause the Carers' health to break down. Every year significant numbers of Carers are forced to stop caring because of illness or injury and 87% of carers say that caring has had an adverse impact on their health. If a carer is not in a fit state of health and mind it makes it much more difficult to take care of a special needs child. It is estimated carers save the country / Government £87 billion each year yet the decision to care can mean a commitment to future poverty. Caring causes depression, anxiety, back injuries with constant lifting, isolation, stress, physical fatigue and more. As carers it is vital that we have an outlet and take some time to ourselves. On the links below we have found some treats online for you to try out and also some more traditional suggestions. We have also listed some useful websites for parents of children with special needs. Some well known and popular ways of dealing with stress and anxiety are massage, reflexology and meditation. Meditation is a mind and body process that uses concentration or reflection to relax the body and calm the mind in order to create a sense of well being. Daily meditation can increase longevity and quality of life; and reduce many ill health symptoms brought on by stress. It is done by choosing a quiet place, free from noise and distraction, and sitting or resting quietly with eyes closed and concentrating on breathing, or an object, or chanting a mantra. Best of all it is completely free, can be done in the comfort of your own home and doesn't require any equipment. Many people use meditation music to help with relaxation.
Hollywood actress Lindsay Wagner, best known as The Bionic Woman, has just released her first meditation cd 'Open To Oneness', meditation music as experienced in her 'Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart' experiential workshops and retreats. Some of these workshops are held especially for carers and also siblings of children with special needs.
Parent Websites:- Familyonwards - help site for parents and grandparents face2facenetwork - parents supporting parents of disabled children. OurKidsAreSpecial.com - helping Parents and Caregivers of Special Needs Children Managing Stress for Carers http://cerebra.onestopcms.co.uk/Parent+Support/Support/counselling_service.htm New qualification for carers
1) I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?" I turned around and walked back out and never went back. My husband didn't say a word....he knew better. Melinda Lowe, 39, Texas 2) I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said "I think I prefer playing with men's balls." Colleen Collins,31, Ferndale, MI 3) My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of nuts. As we were looking at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically, the boy grinned and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day my sister has never let me forget. Faye Emerick,34, Ellerslie, MD 4) While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving right now she would be punished. To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me were screams of laughter. Amy Richardson, Stafford, Virginia 5) A lady picked up several items at a discount store. When she finally got up to the checkout she learned that one of her items had no price tag. Imagine her embarrassment when the checker got on the intercom and boomed out for all the store to hear, "PRICE CHECK ON LANE 13, TAMPAX SUPER SIZE." That was bad enough, but somebody at the rear of the store apparently misunderstood the word Tampax for Thumbtacks. In a business-like tone, a voice boomed back over the intercom, "DO YOU WANT THE KIND YOU PUSH IN WITH YOUR THUMB OR THE KIND YOU POUND IN WITH A HAMMER?" Diane E. Amov 6) This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow but don't get any? We had a female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: "So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard! |
