Kate Garraway-Caring For Derek

She had said on GMB a while back that the finances are all down to her now, so I’m sure that would have been factored into to her decision to let cameras follow the journey. And to be honest I think there is a lot of interest as it’s long covid and the unknown.

Daisend1

To each his own .
My heart goes to those who care for the suffering, continue to do so, unlike Kate Garroway, in silence.
You are well and truly the Florence Nightingales of the modern world.

... yes - we carers should just get on with it and keep silent, so we can win your approval.

We are not Florence Nightingales - we are exhausted, depressed, often impoverished, alienated from normal life, carers who care because we care.

I am glad KG has used her position to highlight the devastating effects of both long Covid and the problems for the whole family when someone is in need of care. She's a broadcaster and journalist - that's her job, so why shouldn't she use her skill and know-how to put the spotlight on the problems people face when someone in the family is seriously ill?

If she's raised some awareness of the anxieties, worries and fears involved in the world of the carer and the sufferer, care-workers and nurses, and all those involved, then good for her.

Shelflife Kate is not in the fortunate position of paying for private care. The people taking care of Derek were not privately employed. She is working really hard trying to earn a living to support all her family by herself.
Gwyneth, wow what unkind words from you. Maybe you should actually watch the programme and then you’d realise how wrong you are. Not nice Gwyneth.

Dickens

Daisend1

To each his own .
My heart goes to those who care for the suffering, continue to do so, unlike Kate Garroway, in silence.
You are well and truly the Florence Nightingales of the modern world.

... yes - we carers should just get on with it and keep silent, so we can win your approval.

We are not Florence Nightingales - we are exhausted, depressed, often impoverished, alienated from normal life, carers who care because we care.

I am glad KG has used her position to highlight the devastating effects of both long Covid and the problems for the whole family when someone is in need of care. She's a broadcaster and journalist - that's her job, so why shouldn't she use her skill and know-how to put the spotlight on the problems people face when someone in the family is seriously ill?

If she's raised some awareness of the anxieties, worries and fears involved in the world of the carer and the sufferer, care-workers and nurses, and all those involved, then good for her.

I agree with everything Dickens said. I have no desire to be regarded as Florence Nightingale, thanks. If I had wanted to be a nurse I'd have trained as one. I didn't, but effectively am now (as well as lots of other roles I have a varying amount of aptitude for) as sole carer for my husband, having had to give up work also.

I do it because I love him very much and want the best for him, but it is not easy. At times it is lonely, very frightening, unremitting and many other negative things. Anyone suggesting that carers do not have the right to be heard, on their own terms, is utterly clueless.

Wishing Kate, Derek and their family the best in the world.

Just a Reminder
It's about... COVID...., what it has done to this once fit and healthy man!

lemsip

*Just a Reminder*
It's about... COVID...., what it has done to this once fit and healthy man!

It wasn't just about covid, it was about caring for someone after an illness or with a disability too.

I am sure his patients miss him badly. He seems to be only remembered as a spin doctor, not a qualified psychotherapist. Well done Kate.

lemsip

*Just a Reminder*
It's about... COVID...., what it has done to this once fit and healthy man!

... mostly, yes - about the devastating and long lasting effects.

But it was also about the impact on KG, her relationship with her husband and the apparent toll it has taken on her.

Inevitably the wider aspects of caring for a very sick person will have crept into the discussion - witness the poster to whom I responded who broadened the topic.

I apologise if I've veered off-topic, and will say no more about it - but others might because although this is about Covid, it will have rung a bell with some who care for very sick family members who aren't suffering from the virus but whose lives have been devastated just the same.

I do not think it was about COVID, at least only as a cause of severe disability. It was, as JaneJudge says about caring for someone after an illness or with a disability too.

She taked with other carers, talked about the imbecility of the care system with its fragmented provision, running from one organisation to another to get this and that in order to provide a severely disabled person with some of the things that are needed. It showed how wonderful and dedicated family and paid carers are in looking after people like Derek.

No need to apologise Dickens
You weren’t even ‘off topic’, not that there’s anything wrong with that anyway

I have walked in Kates shoes, she has my utmost respect.

My husbands illness left him a paraplegic. I cared for him as long as I could but because I did not have Kate's earning capacity to provide 24 hour care in our home I had to eventually cave in and he had to into a nursing home.

The care system is woefully lacking. Caring for my husband nearly broke me, physically, emotionally, financially,

My health was ruined, and I stood on the precipice bankruptcy. I had to sell the family home to pay the debts. I lost everything, the love of my life and the family home,

If Kate can find a way of financing her husbands care to keep him at home and keep the family together then more power to her elbow.

She is also doing a sterling job highlighting just how serious covid can be,

Derbyshirelass

for Derbyshirelass from me too

I hugely admire Kate for what she is doing, so many bed changes a day is one small part of the misery of it all. Their lives have been taken apart by the impact of Covid, I like her warts and all approach, but with lots of love and dignity for a Derek. I cared for my poorly man in a hospital bed in the last weeks of his life and it was so exhausting, she and every carer needs our love and care to help them through. Some of the bitter comments from people here with no idea, well, it shocks me to the core. Carers need support every step of the way and it is fragmented. Every time I rang the district nurses, pharmacy etc I had to say “end of life” and it broke me. I had to ring more than once every single day and at night too. My poor husband had to hear that too. I cried for Kate and her family.

CPL593H

for Derbyshirelass from me too

... and from me, also for DerbyshireLass

And from me too Derbyshirelass

@ Nanatoone



Ignore the bitter comments from the heedless.

FannyCornforth

No need to apologise Dickens
You weren’t even ‘off topic’, not that there’s anything wrong with that anyway

Thank you. On second thoughts I'm not sure I should have apologised. Many topics stray in different directions because they are complex and have many aspects. I'm not sure why the poster felt it necessary to issue a "reminder" because, clearly, KG's journey is about more than just the effects of 'long Covid'.

As @M0nica said, she taked with other carers, talked about the imbecility of the care system with its fragmented provision, running from one organisation to another to get this and that in order to provide a severely disabled person with some of the things that are needed.

Oh nanatoone my heart goes out to you

Thank you, that means a lot xx

I think it’s time the reality was laid bare, the system is so difficult to navigate. Thanks so much for the kind words, it really hurts to remember that time xx

Nanatoone and Derbyshirelass and all other carers doing their very best for their loved ones

Well said, Monica
Those criticising have no idea of the relentless day-to-day pressure and stress on carers and often the feelings of guilt, too, of those who need such care.

Oh Nantoone, having to say 'end of life' is the kind of thing that shouldn't even be necessary but is part of the grueling nature of having to make clear the person you care fors needs. Like Callistemon says, the guilt too. I remember when my daughter was little and it was clear how disabled she was going to be, long term, not only was it getting used to the idea that this was how it was - I had to negotiate with a system I didn't understand and become a person I didn't want to be. I didn't want to be firm and clear (or as the professionals call it, awkward) but I had to be. My own pleasant, laid back personality was no good for getting things in place that would help my daughter, so I had to develop a persona in a way

Callistemon21

Nanatoone and Derbyshirelass and all other carers doing their very best for their loved ones

Well said, Monica
Those criticising have no idea of the relentless day-to-day pressure and stress on carers and often the feelings of guilt, too, of those who need such care.

Yes and there is quite a lot of judgement flung about because people think they could and would cope so much better and be more dignified well I stand with supporting carers to feel how they feel so they can operate better. There are plenty of properly abusive people they can judge instead, if they so wished.

Yes and there is quite a lot of judgement flung about because people think they could and would cope so much better and be more dignified.

All I can say is that when I see what so many carers do, I know that in such situations I would be found wanting.