They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well perhaps the same is true when it comes to those who are chronically ill.
The burden of M.E. is too much for one ‘carer’ to bear.
Both the sufferer and their partner need a whole heap of support but it is perhaps the non-sufferer who people forget about – they too are carrying such a huge weight on their shoulders by being the sole giver of physical, mental and emotional support to the sufferer.
So today I have been bundled into the car and have come to my parents for a bit of respite care. The change of scene is lovely even if I feel too unwell to really be out of bed.
I am feeling quite alone though. It is so hard to know that it is your chronic illness that others need a break from.
And while those who care for us can try to share the load between them, the sufferer can get no respite or relief or time off. While the ‘carer’ undoubtedly deserves and needs that rest, I’d quite like a break too.
M.E. myself and I 