My son and his wife are expecting their first baby, the first grandchild. They live really close to his in-laws in Cheshire. For me to get to them is nine and half hours, two trains and £200 . The luggage , me and my guide dog, and I can get lost in my home city.
I moved my mother here when she was on her own and it was not the right thing to do, she was a town girl and this is the countryside. I spent many anguished days and nights thinking what to do but if I go :
1. they may move again
2 I am blind mother in law is not and already close by baby sitting by me...?
3. How are they going to help me ? They both work and have a full social life they will mean to help but how cna they.
4. Here I know where everything is, I have friends and some independence. I volunteer and I have clubs I go to.
There is face to face technology, skype and yes I will never cuddle the little one, or see her walk or any of the other things . But neither does my friend her grandchildren are in Australia.
I will be able go once with a sighted friend who offered to help me., when the baby is born and I am grateful for that.