Celia’s story – caring during COVID-19

"A lot of carers felt isolated and alone with no help, financially impoverished, emotionally and physically drained."

“My name is Celia and I am hoping to give each and every one of you something to inspire you and help you in some way through reading my story in this crisis and beyond.

Like you, I don’t know quite where to start. We all have such inspiring stories to tell. Carers’ voices together are truly wonderful. I have met so many wonderful carers over the years, and I hope I have helped in some way.

I am a single mum to three wonderful boys, who I have brought up on my own for fifteen years. I rebuilt my life after suffering horrendous abuse. I now devote my energies to helping fellow carers so as not to suffer as I did, alone caring for a son with complex needs and two other boys. Impoverished, with no financial help from my ex, it was a struggle. Some Christmases down to my last fiver, going to bed weeping with relief that I had created another magical Christmas for my boys.

As an unpaid carer of a wonderful young man who has one of the rarest brain diseases in the world, we had no option but to self-isolate earlier to protect my darling Paul. Anyone who has met him will know he’s the epitome of pure joy. He is also very vulnerable medically. No matter whom we are caring for we love our loved ones unconditionally. Even before this lockdown, a lot of carers felt isolated and alone with no help, financially impoverished, emotionally and physically drained. This lockdown has increased our caring roles exponentially.

The reality is I’m now on day 78 at home caring 24/7 for my darling Paul. We are caring in unprecedented times with many challenges. I take one day at a time. This doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings of fear, being overwhelmed, guilt for not doing more, I do. However these are natural human emotions and I always try to focus on the positives.”

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