Shona's Story
My name is Shona and I live in Leven. I have 4 grown up children, 4 grandchildren and a husband named Robert.
About 20 years ago, I became wheelchair bound. I also have a number of other conditions which affect not only my ability to get around but also my self-confidence. It came to the point where I needed both personal care and support with house work. Over the years, things become more and more difficult – with so many changes, I was getting so many different care staff coming through the door each week, we couldn’t maintain a relationship with any of the staff. We didn’t know who was coming one day to the next. This didn’t help me feel secure in any way so we decided we couldn’t carry on with home care.
We then tried to manage things ourselves for a while. Then I heard about Self Directed Support (SDS)! I phoned up to make enquiries but kept getting told I should have home care but I’d already been down that road! I stuck to my guns and after six months there was an assessment with an SDS Manager coming out to see me.
I now have a care package for 10.5 hours a week. I do the book-keeping myself and employ the staff. It’s important to know that when you take on care through SDS, you should have a bank account solely for that purpose. As I’m ‘the boss’, it’s great to be able to direct the care the way I want it. Having that wee bit of control also helps build my confidence. I am in the middle of having my needs re-assessed so that I can get extra support to go swimming. Employing my own staff also means that I know them and can trust them to accompany me when I need to go out of the house, like coming with me when I have to attend hospital or GP appointments.
Since getting support through SDS, the difference in my life has been fantastic. Best thing of all is that I’m in control. It has also given me the confidence to become involved as a volunteer mentor with DPHS (Fife). By becoming a mentor myself, I want to be able to help build others’ confidence to ask for help and take a bit of control!
Best of luck
Shona
About 20 years ago, I became wheelchair bound. I also have a number of other conditions which affect not only my ability to get around but also my self-confidence. It came to the point where I needed both personal care and support with house work. Over the years, things become more and more difficult – with so many changes, I was getting so many different care staff coming through the door each week, we couldn’t maintain a relationship with any of the staff. We didn’t know who was coming one day to the next. This didn’t help me feel secure in any way so we decided we couldn’t carry on with home care.
We then tried to manage things ourselves for a while. Then I heard about Self Directed Support (SDS)! I phoned up to make enquiries but kept getting told I should have home care but I’d already been down that road! I stuck to my guns and after six months there was an assessment with an SDS Manager coming out to see me.
I now have a care package for 10.5 hours a week. I do the book-keeping myself and employ the staff. It’s important to know that when you take on care through SDS, you should have a bank account solely for that purpose. As I’m ‘the boss’, it’s great to be able to direct the care the way I want it. Having that wee bit of control also helps build my confidence. I am in the middle of having my needs re-assessed so that I can get extra support to go swimming. Employing my own staff also means that I know them and can trust them to accompany me when I need to go out of the house, like coming with me when I have to attend hospital or GP appointments.
Since getting support through SDS, the difference in my life has been fantastic. Best thing of all is that I’m in control. It has also given me the confidence to become involved as a volunteer mentor with DPHS (Fife). By becoming a mentor myself, I want to be able to help build others’ confidence to ask for help and take a bit of control!
Best of luck
Shona
Shona's talks about the difference SDS made to her.
Shona talks about what it's like to employ a PA.