Happy New Lockdown
Happy New Lockdown! This was how my brother greeted me on his first day back at work after the Christmas Holidays and I found it so equally amusing and depressing that I just had to use it for this post. I hope everyone visiting had the best Christmas possible and that New Year was a happy occasion for all my inclusivelivingconcepts readers.
Recruitment
New Year same…activities! Literally! Last year I wrote about how I had lost a PA due to health problems and this year, thanks to COVID-19, I will be recruiting again. I have no idea what this will look like during lockdown but as my Mom helpfully pointed out, I have to find people to interview first! The joys of living with a disability!
If I seem disillusioned and bitter about the process then, unfortunately, that’s an accurate picture. Getting access to the right support was horrid before, It is almost impossible at the moment! If any of you have any tips on how to make the recruiting process less stressful please let me know. I’m thinking of starting a support group for people who have lost carers/PAs this year!
My lockdown plan
On a more positive note, whilst I feel pretty pessimistic about the recruitment process and Social Care in general, I’m determined that this year is when I get my ducks in a row! (Runaway Bride reference.) I’ve contacted The Disability Union, to assist me with getting my care package. I’ve signed up for the Lifebook Course to try and get a handle on how I want to actually live as all the assessments and stress has made it hard to see the wood for the trees. It may help or it may be new-age hype but I’m hoping for the latter. I’ll also be more active with Disability Horizons this year, writing and editing content. Check out my piece on free online courses available to stave off boredom and improve skills and knowledge during this latest lockdown.
I don’t know whether this new year equals a new me but I’m optimistic that it’s a year for change. What are your plans for this year? How are you feeling about the lockdown and the fact that there are now vaccines available?
I’d be interested to hear from people who have had the COVID-19 vaccine already. My disability, whilst sometimes frustrating, thankfully does not affect my health so I’m pretty far down on the list. A fact that I’m incredibly grateful for and at the same time I’m impatient for the world to be vaccinated so we can get back to whatever normal there is for us all. Who’s with me!?
