More than 7 years ago, DH had a stroke with a seizure and went on to have two more strokes within a month, the last of which left him with aphasia. He has lost most of his literacy and his receptive language is poor. However his speech sounds surprisingly normal and he does not even walk with a limp. This is actually a disadvantage as people do not identify him as disabled. Here is not the place to discuss our relationship, but it has had massive ups and downs, made worse by his lack of understanding and frustration with words and numbers. For example, today I had to try to get him to tell an insurance person on the telephone what our previous address was in order to answer security questions. He couldn't do it, became frustrated and went, leaving me to apologise and be told that I had to photocopy his passport, have it endorsed, fill in a long form etc etc. all because a 68 year old man could not say an old address. It is both sad and extremely frustrating.

However in spite of this, I cannot believe that the NHS should be focussed on relationships. While there are newborn babies in incubators and young mothers dying of cancer, the frustrations of stroke survivors and their carers should not be a priority. As at least one other Gransnetter knows, we just get on with the hand we have been dealt and have to be strong.

I'm touched by your story, Inger, and especially by the way your grandson has changed your life ... As young women, we don't think much about challenges of middle or older age (I'm now 72); but they are REAL. And the joys of grandchildren are real too; mine are 6 and 4 and I never thought they would bring me the joy they have. I've been lucky to be able to afford counselling at various points over the years. At least in your case, there are now positives ... sending you good vibes

I found that, when I turned to Relate for help when my marriage was breaking down, it was far too expensive to go to the counselling sessions, so I had to stop them. They then stopped having a counsellor or my doctors. That sort of thing, as jingle has pointed out, seems to be the first thing to go when there are economic cuts.

I don't understand why anyone would need or want outside "specialists" to help with t he kind of situation mentioned on the petition page. I wonder if they really do?

Hello Virginia. Are you new?

A sad, and at the same time lovely, story.

But, I'm not sure how we can expect the NHS to help with relationships. Especially while it's so short of funds.