Urgent practical help needed!
Photo by: Melanie Cook
URGENT PRACTICAL HELP NEEDED IN OUR OWN BACK YARDS NOW!
There has to be a solution to ease the suffering of M.E/CFS & FMS and the frail/disabled living on Macleay Island. This is a matter not exclusive to us here, but affects many Australians in similar situations.
Due to the fact that M.E./CFS & FMS sufferers are almost entirely ignored by the State, there is absolutely nothing provided - this is an urgent community problem and I imagine most able bodied locals are unaware of it.
Help is needed with basic things like grocery shopping, prescription collecting, essential housework and some light gardening. Sometimes, just simple companionship…or having a cup of tea made!
Many sufferers live in virtual isolation, because the very nature of the illness often forces one into self-preservation mode - with no choice but to shut the world out whilst trying to rest throughout the day at very strange times or because of stimulus overload. Combined with the dreadful symptoms and pain, this does not make for an easy life. Depression sometimes ensues because of the restrictions M.E./CFS & FMS demands of its victims…
I know firsthand that sometimes I am not up to driving the the chemist (especially now its relocated to the Southern end of Macleay) when I need an urgent script filled, or over-the-counter pain control etc. I have the same problem when I need something from the shop, like bread, milk or pet food.
There are days when driving is dangerous, depending on my energy levels and mobility. Seeing as this is largely and unknown quantity as I frequently relapse between being severely and moderately affected, I hate to finally admit it, but I too need some help.
I am more than happy to continue to provide little shopping trips when I can, for other sufferers, but I feel we need an able bodied volunteer who would be far more reliable than me. Sometimes, when I am asked to take a person to get groceries, I am feeling very ill, but don’t like to refuse. I end up making myself far sicker and have to pay the penalties over the next few days. The price for wanting to help is getting too high even for me, as my energy & tolerance to outside stimulus diminishes. The symptoms and pain can be overwhelming and sometimes feels life threatening, I kid you not.
Unfortunately, unless by some miracle I improve dramatically, my days of volunteering to garden or clean the homes of others is over. I barely cope with my own basics at the moment.
I would like us to have a regular weekly local shopping trip. Pick up from home, help with carrying the groceries and then being dropped back home. No one would object to paying a small donation towards fuel costs etc. I’m sure, but Taxi rates are very cost prohibitive to most of us on DSP.
I’m happy to volunteer when I can or offer the use of my car. So, I’m putting out the call…are there any takers out there who are willing to help set something up?
I intend to make some posters about this when I can and also approach the Lions Club and Community Centre regarding this issue. As I said, it’s not just M.E./CFS & FMS sufferers who can’t get to the shops under their own steam…something needs to be done and soon. Providing a simple care service off our own backs is what a Community should be about.
If you need help getting to the shops regularly, please call me on 4704 (M-F 12-2pm) and I will see what I can do.
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