My social worker told Mum and me about ASA having families who offer respite within their home. We have always thought that having respite meant going into a care home which I didn’t want. Mum was getting very poorly and tired so with the help of my social worker Ruth and Sandi from ASA we went to visit Sheila and Barrie in Skegness, I liked them and the room I would stay in and was happy that my bus could still pick me up so that I could still go to my day service and not miss out on seeing my friends. Soon the first stay was arranged and although I was a bit scared I went to stay. Sheila was kind to me and made me feel at home, I made a new friend who lives with Sheila and Barry all the time.
I have now been going to stay with Sheila and Barrie quite often since November 2011 and have made more friends as other people sometimes stay for respite at the same time as me , we take it in turns to choose what to watch on telly. My favourite part is the good food. Sheila helps Mum out by taking me to my foot clinic when I go to stay this helps us as Mum struggles to drive most of the time now., I miss Mum and my dog when I go away but we get on better when I go home.
By Stephen Martin
