My Life being Disabled 31/01/08

Bladder wash. Very bored with nothing to do except go on my computer.

My Life being Disabled 30/01/08

This morning I gave my complaint to the assistant manager. She proposes to log every activity I do in the next two weeks from 4/02 - 18/02. After this we'll have an idea how much activity time I'm spending. My nurse is going to review my Care plan. We completed this in the afternoon with changes to my Activity Care plan. My physio gave me some excercises for my paralysed arm, which I do on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I get some referrl pain in my head but I don't complain.

My Life being Disabled 29/01/08

I woke up at 09:00 this morning because I watched a movie on television which started at 21:00 but did not finish until 00:40 this morning. I had a successful bladder wash and two new carers put me in my bathroom. During my breakfast I complained to a nurse that I was not getting any activity time since one of the life skills co-ordintors has gone sick. A life skills co-ordinator asked me if I wanted to go to Argos this morning. One of the new carers went for a break but didn't come back, he just left ? I found out they were from the Jobcentre. We went to Argos because I had a £5 voucher to spend but I didn't spend it. After lunch I prepared for my presentation. The assistant manager asked me to put my complaint in writing so I sent her an e-mail.see below:-
You have asked me to put this complaint in writing, this is my complaint.

When I first became a resident of Dearnevale I was told that with my “costings” I was allowed 3.5 hours of activities per week. But since one of the life skills co-ordinators went sick my weekly activity to the Fitness Centre has stopped. Recently activities like visiting a museum or going 10 pin bowling have also stopped.


At 14:40 one of the carers came into the computer room enquiring why my presentation had been postponed. I didn't know.

My Life being Disabled 28/01/08

I got my HC1(SC) FORM and an appointment to fill my Baclofin pump re-filled on the 6th March at 15:30. I returned my HC1(SC) form and I reviewed my Powerpoint presentation.

My Life being Disabled 27/01/08

A boring weekend I watched several films and tidied my powerpoint presentation because I will be showing it on Tuesday.

My Life being Disabled 25/01/08

The person in charge of the physios came to see me this morning with 2 of her physios. She moved my paralysed arm and noted how much it moved. She decided to tell her physios that they could see me 2 or 3 times per week to move my paralysed arm because the movement will be benificial. She asked me if I was given another presentation. I said on the 29th, she is planning to come. The Unit physio told me I could see her on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after lunch for Passive Movement. On Tuesdays she is holding an Active Movements class.

My Life being Disabled 24/01/08

I had a successful bladder wash this morning although I didn't get up until 09:30 because I was watching The Negotiator on TV until 01:00 this morning. I got a reply from the DWP about my DLA:
Dear Sir

Thank you for your email, it has now been forwarded to the operational area that deals with your claim.

Regards

Lorraine
Central Admin Team
Warbreck House
Blackpool

I ordered a Video to DVD burner from LOVEFILM it should be delivered in 4 weeks.

My Life being Disabled 23/01/08

I phoned Remploy again this morning, again there was no reply so I phoned my Disability Employment Advisor at the Jobcentre and she is going to deal. I emailed the Dept. of Work and Pensions (DWP) to tell them I have not recieved my Disability Living Allowance which was reinstated on 21/11/07 when I terminated my contract with Motability. I designed a party invitation for the life skills co-ordinator who is leaving. I asked her if I could go to Argos, she said she would take me next week. At 15:30 Remploy phoned me back, she had not found me some work experience but she had spoken to their people from communications and they might be able to give me some work experience. Next week she's coming out to see me.

My Life being Disabled 22/01/08

I had a bladder wash this morning. I went to the library and changed my book which is due back 12/02/08. The life skills co-ordinator told me she was leaving my care home and moving to another care home with an increase in salary. The other life skills co-ordinator had already resigned with management advertising for both posts.
I phoned Remploy this afternoon to find out if they had found me some work experience but had to leave a message for the person who is dealing with me.

My Life being Disabled 21/01/08

I got a £5 voucher for Argos for filling in a customer survey, this morning and I got a leaflet about the 2008 Carnegie World Club Challenge between Leeds Rhinos and Melbourne Storm on 29th February at Elland Road, Leeds. I told my nurse that I would like to go to the library. She said I should tell the life skills co-ordinator but she is out so I told the team leader to tell her. At dinner I asked the team leader if she saw the life skills co-ordinator ? She had but the life skills co-ordinator was very busy because residents who go to day school had been sent home early because of the floods in the area.

My Life being Disabled 19/01/08

I had a bladder wash this morning. I asked if I could go to watch Grimethorpe Warriors Rugby League club this afternoon but the nurse said they were pretty busy because they have a lot of respite people in but she will try. I got an email from CLUBPREM explaining why I had joined their club. When I ordered a memory card for my mobile from Vistaprint included in the package was a leaflet about CLUBPREM giving me one months free membership. But if I didn't want it I had cancel it. I have now cancelled it. I got another email from Barnsley Council telling me they are dealing with my complaint via my MP about the state of the footpath outside of our Care home.

My Life being Disabled 18/01/08

This morning I went to my new dentist in Barnsley. She gave me a check-up and some X-rays. I got another appointment to see her on 07/03/08 at 15:30. I spent last night watching television in my bedroom because the TV in the cinema room wasn't working correctly and the TV room was full.

My Life being Disabled 17/01/08

Last night I had a Vindaloo and a Naab bread because I didn't have a lunch yesterday when I went to the Mobility Centre.

This morning my nurse gave me a questionnaire from the Commision of Social Care Inspectors. They usually distribute these before they visit a Care home. I told the CSCI that I was only on a 3 month contract but I would like to stay here. The decision will be made by Wakefield MDC. also I told them that since December one of the Life Skills co-ordinator has been absent so I couldn't go to the Fitness Centre.
I phoned the NHS office because my HC2 form finishes on the 05/03/08. They are sending a new form because I pay for part of my Social Care costs. One of my carers went to buy me a top-up for my mobile phone because I had taken most of my money out of my bank account so I couldn't top-up via the internet.

My Life being Disabled 16/01/08

At 00:01 my catheter was by-passing so my nurse changed it. I have not taken a bladder wash since Thursday because my nurse did not order any more.
I went to the Mobility Centre at Sheffield North hospital this morning to get measured for a new moulded seat for my new wheelchairs. I got up at 06:00 because I had to be ready for 08:00 but the ambulance didn't come until 09:20. The driver didn't start until 09:00 ! The people at the Mobility Centre decided that I should have a new manual wheelchair, a new powerchair that can be used both indoors and outside plus a new moulded seat. They are giving me another appointment when my new manual wheelchair is ready.
I have not got a reply from CLUBPREM (they taking £9.95 every month out of my bank account) so I phoned my bank again and they stopped my VISA and will issue another.

My Life being Disabled 15/01/08

I gave a "Powerpoint" presentation this afternoon to some of the staff at my Care home. It was titled "My Life being Disabled" and it lasted 30 minutes. After the presentation I held a question and answer session. All the attendees said they enjoyed it and other staff expressed their interest in me giving another one. I told them to see the management.

My Life being Disabled 14/01/08

I didn't blog yesterday because I didn't go to the computer room, I watched TV all day. This morning my nurse came to tell me my bladder washes came last night but because they are different she's going to phone BOOT'S to see what the procedure is. After I had my breakfast she told me the bladder wash she was given is incorrect. I'm still waiting for the correct ones. I got a letter from The Co-op Bank to invite me to apply for a current account.

My Life being Disabled 12/01/08

I didn't have a bladder wash this morning because I had run out. When I changed from 2 washes per week to 3 my nurses forgot to order some more ! I went to NETTOS this morning to get some mints we had to go in the mini-bus because nobody could push me(it's 500 metres).

My Life being Disabled 11/01/08

Last night I checked my bank account and I found that again I had made a payment of £9.95 to CLUBPREM COM on the 07 Jan. I phoned my bank and they said I must contact them because I can't stop this nor can my bank stop it ! I emailed CLUBPREM COM because they do not have a telephone and I got an automatic reply saying they were dealing. If this not sorted out I'm going to change my bank. This morning I didn't wake up until 09:15 which is unusual because I usually wake up at approx. 07:00. Since coming to Dearnevale I've been sleeping longer ? As it's Friday I got my hair cut before I had a shower. I had my breakfast then I had my lunch.

My Life being Disabled 10/01/08

I got an email from the area manager of Marstons thanking me for my comments after visiting the Norman Inn last week, it read:
Many thanks for your e-mail regarding your recent visit to the Norman Inn. It is heartening to receive such praise. I will pass on your comments to the Norman Inn and I am sure they look forward to welcoming you all back soon.

Happy New Year

Philip Cawood
Area Operations Manager
Marstons’ Inns & Taverns

My Life being Disabled 10/01/08

I got an email from the area manager of Marstons thanking me for my comments after visiting the Norman Inn last week

My Life being Disabled 09/01/08

I met with my Social worker this afternoon to find out whether or not I am staying at Dearnevale. I came in Septeber 2007 on a 3 month trial to see if I like it here, which I do. I presented my letter:MT Docs 08/001
Issue 001
Page 1 of 2
Why I want to stay at Dearnevale
Introduction
I was unhappy when I lived at Wheldon View because I am not suited to watching the television all day. I prefer using a computer/internet to learn/discover things and I want to go out in the community.
Changes since moving to Dearnevale
1. I have joined the local fitness centre. I attend weekly (Wednesday 13:30 – 14:30) where one of the instructors assists me with weight training. See note 1.
2. I have bought a lap-top computer and have access to the internet.
3. I have joined the library.
4. When I want to go shopping I arrange it with the life skills co-ordinator.
5. I have watched Grimethorpe Rugby League Club three times.
6. Outings that I have gone on are:- See note 1.
13/10/07 Grimethorpe Social Club Sky Super League Final
16/10/07 Barnsley Ten Pin Bowling
20/10/07 Grimethorpe Social Club Northern Soul Nite
24/10/07 Barnsley Pub lunch
27/10/07 Huddersfield Rugby League GB v NZ
29/10/07 Leeds National Armouries
10/11/07 Barnsley Ten Pin Bowling
18/11/07 Bradford National Media Museum
21/12/07 Barnsley Pub Xmas lunch
04/01/08 Barnsley Pub lunch
7. Remploy(Jobcentre) are trying to find a company that will give me some Work Experience.



MT Docs 08/001
Issue 001
Page 2 of 2
Planned Changes at Dearnevale

1. Obtain Work experience by working in Dearnevale’s office.
2. Connect internet to my bedroom.
3. Register with Open University to study Information Technology and Computing. (starts Oct 08).
4. Become a magistrate.
5. Wheelchair Services are providing an indoor powerchair, a new moulded seat and an outdoor powerchair.
6. Jobcentre will find me a job.
7. I want to start driving again.

Conclusion
It has taken me over 3 months to get into this position and I don’t want to start again by moving Care homes.

Note 1 – one of the life skills co-ordinators is on sick leave.

My Social worker said that she will pass this on to her boss.
Also she reviewed my Social plan with me(between me and Wakefield MDC) she would update this and email a copy.

My Life being Disabled 08/01/08

Today I finished my "Powerpoint" presentation that I'm giving to the staff of my Care home next week.

My Life being Disabled 07/01/08

Last night I had my Care plan review, I have this monthly, with my nurse. We changed Plan 2 - Eating and Drinking - item 9 drinks - discontinued, - item 10 buzzers - discontinued, - item 11 diet - addition. Plan 4 - Personal Cleaning and Hygene - item 9 bath - addition. Plan 6 - Mobilising - item 6 hoist - addition. Plan 11 - Activities - item 9 fitness centre - addition, item 10 voluntary work at Dearnevale - addition, item 11 Magistrate - addition, item 12 excercising - addition. Next review planned for w/c 4/2/08.
This afternoon I had to laugh after discussing my diet with my nurse and deciding to have soup for lunch and the main meal for dinner. Tomorrow's choices were lunch "Pork" curry and for dinner Soup.

My Life being Disabled 05/01/08

This morning I informed my nurse that I received two appointments, one from my new dentist 10/01 10:30 and one for my new shoes at Pinderfields 04/02 14:40. This afternoon I went to watch Grimethorpe Warriors playing Rugby League against Greetland. Grimethorpe won 26 - 14 even though they has 2 men sent off. After tea my nurse told that she was worried because of my diet. Most days I'm having soup for lunch and the main meal for dinner but today I had soup on both occaisions. She knows I am trying to lose weight but she's worried because I'm not gettting enough protein.

My Life being Disabled 04/01/08

Went out for a pub lunch to the Norman Inn in Monk Bretton. I had a Curry Club meal which consisted of a J20 drink, a naan, a popppadum, a chicken jalfrazi with rice and chutney for only £4.95. It was very good. The life skills co-ordinator told me that the assistan manager is vry keen on my suggestion that I would like to work in theirboffice. I told her what my skills were answering the telephone(provding that I get a headset), computing, annual/sick leave management, emails and documentation. I emailed Derek Andrew MBE, Managing Director Marston's Inns and Taverns to tell him what good service they have.

My L.ife being Disabled 03/01/08

My Social worker contacted me to discuss my future as to whether I stay at Dearnevale. She asked me to provide a report on why I like "Dearnevale". We agreed to meet next Wednesday 9/1/08 an to discuss my report and review my Service plan. She said she will try to get the manager of Dearnevale to attend. I also told her that I was interested in taking an Open University course if I am going to stay here and I want to be a magistrate. After I investigated the Open University courses on Data, Computing and Information and found the next course starts in October but registration must be before 05/09/08. I got a message from the nurse that the manager wants me to provide a "QUIP" for Dearnevale ? I thought that a quip is a sharp or sarcastic remark but at 15:00 there is a Resident's meeting at which the manager should be attending so I'll ask her there.

My Life being Disabled 02/01/08

This I decided that one of my New Years resolutions is to complain when my Care home does not give the services it should give. This morning when I went to bed I found that my bed was still not made from last night. My carer couldn't find any quilt covers so I had to sleep with no cover. I complained to the assistant manager also I told her that my Care plan review was due on the 19/12/07. I informed the director that my indoor powerchair was still faulty and is in with the wheelchair repairers since September. I tried contacting my social worker to find out what was happening to me because I was here for 3 months ending in December. I emailed my MP complaining about the state of the footpath outside my Care home. I went to the library and changed my book to "Arise Sir Terry Wogan".

My Life being Disabled 01/01/08

Continued my review of 2007 (see blog 31/12/07). During this I remember that my Service Plan was due to be reviewed with my Care Co-ordinator who works for Wakefield MDC Physical Disabilities - West. My Service Plan consists of 6 points which my Care home have to meet these are:-

1. To provide full assistance with all aspects of personel hygiene.
2. To support with management of bowels and bladder.
3. To provide good healthy nutrition.
4. To ensure I receive medication as prescribed.
5. To provide escort to enable me to benefit from activities and interests both inside and outside of Dearnevale. To ensure that I can pursue leisure activities that are important to me. To increase quality of life and reduce risk of depression/low mood.
6. To monitor safetyand maintain safe environment. Provide 24 hour support.

So I am going to phone my Care Co-ordinator tomorrow.

My Life being Disabled 31/12/07

Another boring New Years eve in a Care home. I spent the evening and night (up to 01:00) watching the television by myself. Everybody else went to bed ! I'm going to summarise what happened to me in 2007.

1. Got kick out of another Care home. Moved from Castleford a big town in West Yorkshire to Grimethorpe a small village in South Yorkshire.
2. Had surgery on my bladder to rectify a problem with my catheter (failed).