Skill Set

Best Intentions

You know those things we say or do that seem offensive, racist or ageist and we didn’t intend it that way? Here’s one of those posts.

Years ago, my older sister sent me one of those really cool bags that you keep inside your bag or car, or you know, somewhere handy. When you go into a supermarket or shop you pull it out and unfold or open it to put your purchases in. Once home, unpacks fold and return it to your bag for next time. My sister called it a ‘nanna bag!’

See? Not intending to be ageist but nailing it. Nannas are not wrong, that bag was so handy, then it shrank a bit after years of torture and washing. I’ve replaced it with a new model. This one has owls on it! It’s pretty cool, I got it from Wilbur. 🙂

(20+) Wilbur | Facebook

The only problem it’s worse than trying to fold a map one handed, but I’m really lucky these days I’ve got two Japanese carers who live for this stuff.

Clap for Carers / Asian woman applauding at home in quarantine

See? Seeming racist.

Not meaning to be however, they seem to have infinite patience to fold, fold, tuck, fold and well, it seems to be their ‘Jam’. Like their ‘happy place’.

So, while not meaning to be ageist or racist, I’m noticing some vintage/nationalities have and contain certain skill sets or temperaments I don’t have and I have my own skill set and appreciate those that have the skills I lack.

Annoyingly, now I no longer have either of my Japanese carers so need a new one.

Good Mental Health

Sometimes having to rely on carers is detrimental to my Good Mental Health. So, in case you had been imagining having carers makes up for being one-handed in life. It really doesn’t.

It often requires a skill set, not everyone with a disability has. I mostly have carers older than I am. It’s not by choice, that’s what it is. I’m not complaining, it’s good.

However, I find older carers sometimes think they know best, so do things how they want to. The downside on occasion is when they don’t listen. They are not there to deal with the consequences.

Some carers only see me when I’m upright, chatty and engaged. They don’t see me when I’m not coping. They are not there when I have to bring my washing inside and hang it, so it has a chance of drying on racks.

Some items in Winter can take days to dry because it’s cold enough to need a heater on, but I have to negotiate spaces around drying racks. My left-hand catches on things as I move around, my left foot catches also. I can easily lose my balance and fall and trust me, no-one around when I have a migraine. Because they don’t limit themselves to the days, I have to suck it up and get shit done.