Meet Julie: a single mother of six children, a devoted carer, a good friend with a big heart, and a person who experiences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Despite the challenges this can bring, Julie remains dedicated to caring for her 18-year-old son, Jack, who lives with autism.
Like many unpaid carers, Julie’s life is a constant balancing act, and although her caring duties are not insignificant, she always manages to find time to support others when they are in need.
With three of her six children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) early in life, Julie has, over the years, not only accepted but embraced her role as a carer. Yet it is a role that has proven immeasurably traumatic at times, and it was only recently that she felt ready, emotionally, to seek help and support for herself.
That’s when she reached out to Carer Gateway – and she hasn’t looked back.
Julie has built a strong and supportive relationship with the team at Carer Gateway.
“I feel I can call and talk to Deb and Michelle from Carer Gateway about anything.
“I would not be where I am today without them, and without the counselling services I’ve been able to access,” she said.
Julie recently participated in a Carer Gateway wellbeing event and said the only downside was that it wasn’t long enough.
“I gained so much from my time at the wellbeing event and built great relationships with other carers,” said Julie.
Julie believes that talking openly and honestly with others has been instrumental in her recovery, saying, “The weekly counselling sessions have made a huge difference. I feel they really help me to keep my head above water.”.
Julie today
Today, Julie’s support network is her lifeline, and Jack her motivation to wake up each morning and keep moving forward.
Some days she is flat out just getting Jack to his many appointments, and often her biggest challenge can come during those moments, “When you feel you simply can’t do it – you desperately need time out for yourself, but you have no choice but to go on.”.
Julie still receives support from Carer Gateway and is now looking forward to joining the local peer support group and connecting with other carers.
She understands the importance of being able to share the joys and the challenges that go hand in hand with being a carer.
For Julie, the realisation that she is not alone and that there are others on a similar journey is a source of strength.
Advice to others
According to Julie, “Routine is key for everyone.”.
Julie focuses on the smallest wins, seeing them as positive signs that they are overcoming obstacles and moving in the right direction.
She has also rediscovered her love of food and the joys (and health benefits) of taking a little more effort in the kitchen. Her tip to others is to get cooking, saying, “You’ll find you feel better for it.”.
Names have been changed for privacy.
