In this episode, we try to answer a question we know so many friends and family members are asking: How can I help?
We talk about what it’s like to be a parent carer in the first few years, after a new diagnosis, during a hospital stay, after losing a child, or when you’re just going through a rough patch - and how hard it can be for the people around you to know what to do or say. We’re really honest about the fact that this is incredibly hard to get right, and that even we don’t always know what we need or what would help in the moment.
We read through a list we’ve created — not as a list of
“what not to do”, but as gentle guidance: practical and emotional ways people can show up, helpful wording and ways to phrase things, and a few things that can unintentionally hurt even when they’re meant kindly.
We also talk about how sensitive, messy and raw those early days and hard periods really are, and how complicated it can feel to receive help at the same time as desperately needing it.
By the end, what we really come to is this: every family is different, and there is no perfect way to do this. But if you’re listening as someone who wants to support a parent carer, we hope this gives you some insight into what’s actually going on for us emotionally.
And if you’re here listening because you care about someone going through this and want to support them — chances are, you’re already doing far more for us than you think!
The most important thing isn’t getting it perfect.
It’s keeping trying.#send #learningdisabilities #podcast
With thanks to Global’s Make Some Noise who have made this possible.https://open.spotify.com/episode/00ccZi7LO06DF6waY41aao?si=g5LdyUhTRhuJMroo7PyJug
New podcast ! Episode 4 has dropped. If you haven’t already, please have a listen.