Mrs. Christian’s story

It’s Thursday evening and my two sons Keith and John are out with their Support Workers, Mike and Jane from Options.

I have cooked myself a meal and poured a glass of red wine and I’m sitting with a tray on my lap watching what I want on the TV-Bliss.

It took me a long time to feel comfortable with the then strangers taking responsibility for John and Keith when they went out. But these strangers have become my friends and are now part of our lives.

Options is all about my sons and me as a carer and a mum. We choose the hours of support that suits us. THEY EVEN WORK CHRISTMAS DAY!

The best thing about Options for me being a single mum is that if ever I am invited out at short notice I know that a support worker will stay with the boys while I enjoy my evening.

The support from Options has seen Keith going to Disney Paris three times and John to London three times to Abbey Road. (He’s a big Beatles fan)

None of these things would have been possible without the fantastic support that we have received, and believe me, having my house to myself when they are away is heaven. Me-Me-Me

I always ask Support Workers why they do the job. Their answer is “We don’t look at it as a job”. They do it they say because they love it.

Before we became involved in Options, Keith would not communicate with people. Now seven years later he never stops talking. This is all down to Barbara, Clare and Jane. They encouraged him to talk and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for that. What would I do without you all.

It takes a special kind of person to be a Support Worker and if I was a little biased I would say that Options employs them all.

So roll on next Thursday to my meal, wine and TV. Five wonderful hours of my time. Yeah!!