A Day in my life/Arthur

Hi all,

My name is Arthur and I am a 71 years old gentleman with a LD condition.

I live on my own,  in my house, I experienced a lot of losses in my life and I found the loss of my mother really difficult.

I have a close friend, Jean who has LPA and she is looking after me when she can, she will visit me regularly and she will ensure I have everything that I need. At times I might phone Jean, 50 times a day.  My life in my family house was stressful I would say, many things I wasn’t allowed to do.

I wasn’t able to get out of the house for nearly 3 years. This had a massive impact on my mental health.

I am happy living in my own accommodation with support, I see my friend regularly and I have a positive relationship with my care staff. They are all really nice, and guess what; they even encourage me to walk to the bottom of my garden on a daily basis, to have a coffee and to enjoy the lovely weather. Adriana had referred me to the physio for additional support.

I do value my independence and I have good verbal communication skills, I enjoy verbal discussion and I have formed a positive relationship with the staff at Adicare.

So, one day I was talking to my friend Jean and told her that I wished to go on holiday to Butlins, Jean had called Adriana and discussed this. In between lines, Adriana said “How about a day out to Skegness, you used to go there with your parents Arthur.

I was over the moon; I could see a dream come true in my mind after nearly 3 years of not getting out of the house, after 3 years of only seeing carers or my friend Jean, I couldn’t believe it.

Adriana and Jean discussed and arranged everything, therefore in one day, Jean and my care staff told me that they had received a phone call from Adriana stating that the request for a day out had been authorized. I was really excited about it, talking to the care staff about it and phoning my friend Jean, I couldn’t believe it, “I am finally going out”, “No, this is not true”, “It can’t be, I haven’t been out in years, especially to Skegness, “Jean, is this really happening”?

Jean and the staff reassured me that this was actually happening and Adriana was planning everything, some sort of paperwork, no idea what these were, but I only knew that I requested Adriana to send Emma, my care staff with me. I was able to choose my care staff. Everything went smoothly.

She must have done it right, Adriana picked up a lovely day, 05^th May 2022, a sunny and warm day, and a wheelchair had also been arranged for delivery, which arrived on the 3^rd May 2022.

Jean got me new clothes and trainers. I couldn’t believe it, I was counting the days, and then on the 05^th May 2022 in the morning Adriana called me to wish me a nice trip, I was with my care staff Emma, and my friend Jean, Jean waved me off when I left. We reassured Adriana that we were okay and to stop worrying.

During my journey to Skegness, I enjoyed the scenery, and the music on the radio, and sang with Emma. I couldn’t believe it, I’ve had tears in my eyes.

Once arrived at Skegness, Emma supported me in my new wheelchair. I was thrilled with everything. No more words, but enjoy the below pictures. Pictures have been taken with my consent and the consent of Jean, my LPA.

This had really changed my day and now I am looking to get out more and more of the house.

Special thanks are going to:

• My care staff, Emma @ Adicare
• Adriana, Registered Manager @ Adicare
• Amy Brown, Community Care Office in Ageing Well Mansfield North
• Nevertheless, thank you, Jean, for being next to me

“When I was a kid, my parents never allowed me to go to the Pier. This was my first experience”