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CAROLE LAWSON
David loved his work and building things – he built 2 boats and sailed them. He was a loving husband, partner and best friend. The man I married is sometimes still there, although as the days go by, a little less. It is hard to see a man that could do anything he set out to do, fail – and he knows this and cries. What can I say to him? I know he is hurting inside. These days, I think, are the hardest for him.
David has suffered from depression all his life and used his work and doing things as a cure from his gremlins. But now he can’t do the things like he used to, so the gremlins creep around him – more and more.
Medication works sometimes but the biggest cure has been David’s days at the day club at Shafto Court. When a day club was suggested at first, I did not think it would be much good as we had tried another day centre previously with dire results. He got so confused and agitated he threatened to burn the place down – I had never heard him talk so violently. David panicked when he knew he was going to a day centre but when he met the staff he was helped to settle in such a way that it was like magic – he enjoyed his first day and looked forward to going back to the day club.
David feels useful again – he looks on the day club as a job, ie he goes to work and helps. The last statement he made was a corker – he is now running the place! He talks non-stop every time he attends, so my best days are Mondays and Wednesdays.
I must mention Fridays – this is the day that our support worker, Nick Gulliver, calls and spends the afternoon with David and what a difference this makes. A simple thing like a walk and chat, being told how observant he is has boosted his confidence. Nick’s calm and steady attention to David has led him to trust and enjoy his Friday afternoon. This is no simple thing as David was always wary of strangers and Nick has been able to build up such a strong bond between them.
I can’t explain just how much David’s happiness means to me. The day club and home visits give David something to look forward to. (Carole Lawson, Carer)
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