# need some advice or at least views

Category: Daily Living

## Post 1 by jen91_09 (777) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 13:39:56

Hey all,
A friend of mine has a sister who has severe CP. She's in a wheelchair and needs help with getting food and going to the bathroom. She has very limited mobility of her arms and can't use her legs anymore. My friend wants to know if I'll stay with her for a day and night, because she has to work and her parents are out of town. She can't be left alone since nothing is accessible for her, (different rant I won't get in too), and I would be very glad to do this. I have a degree in special education so I'm a great option. The only problem is that I have never been to there new house, and it's in a town half an hour away from home where I don't know anybody. what do you think?

## Post 2 by richy (Newborn Zoner) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 13:55:59

It seems aot to ask if you don't know the layout of the house and don't know the area or anyone

## Post 3 by mar2011 (Generic Zoner) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 16:30:47

If your friend has some vission she can help you with the layout of the house. If you can get to her I, would do it.
You'd bee a big help and, gain gain valueable experience as a care giver.

## Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 16:42:08

How versed are you at adapting?
How long would it take for you to learn the house?
I mean, you walk in and take a look?
If you don't adapt well, prepare. Have them get enough food, and other supplies you might need, and take your personal things so you are comfortable.
I don't think it requires much skill to help someone, but I do say if you are at all unsure, don't do it, because it would be a difficult situation.

## Post 5 by jen91_09 (777) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 17:05:30

I adapt well. The only thing that would be dificult, other than i've never gotten her in and out of the chair before lol, is if for some reason something happened i wouldn't have anybody to call other than the police. i'm probably going to do it if she can't find anyone else. i want to, but i'd like to go to the house before i go to watch her. i hope that will happen.

## Post 6 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 22:54:04

Its a day and a night. Go, get a basic lay out of the house. If it was a month, that'd be different, but its a day and a night.

## Post 7 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 14-Aug-2013 23:06:25

I wouldn't sweat it. This is a house, it's not like you're going to a big building for the first time for work. That would take some more time to get used to. You'll be in a house and I doubt you'll get seriously lost in a house. Plus I'm sure the friend will show you where the most important stuff is before she leaves, don't worry so much.

## Post 8 by loves animals (This site is so "educational") on Thursday, 15-Aug-2013 6:41:29

i can see how you can be unsure whether to help this person out but if you are able to get assistance in being showed the proper techniques of lifting a person in and out of their chair as you wouldn't want to injure yourself of the other person.
If you can get a contact number from your friend just so you can safe guard yourself and have at least a number just incase you are faced with any difficulties or have an emergency

## Post 9 by jen91_09 (777) on Monday, 02-Sep-2013 13:56:00

I did it, and it went fine. The only real concerns I had were it being in a not-so-great area of town, which it turns out they live in the country which I didn't think would happen so it wasn't bad, and and getting her in and out of her chair which wasn't the easiest thing but was workable. Thanks for the oppinions guys!

## Post 10 by loves animals (This site is so "educational") on Saturday, 07-Sep-2013 0:01:31

i'm glad to hear you were able to look after her and good on you, smiles.

## Post 11 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Saturday, 07-Sep-2013 10:49:40

Good for you. I'm sure you were a true blessing for them.

## Post 12 by loves animals (This site is so "educational") on Saturday, 07-Sep-2013 18:43:11

I remember looking after a mult-disabled boy who's name was james and it was a lot of hard work but I enjoyed doing it and it felt good being able to help some one else whom is less fortunate than myself, smiles.

## Post 13 by Tila Tequila! (Zone BBS Addict) on Saturday, 07-Sep-2013 22:17:11

If they are interested, there are agencies that are implemented solely for providing help with taking care of family members who are disabled. I worked for an agency and can give you more details, if interested, just private message me. I'm in Missouri, and there are 22 independent living centers with in our state. Not all states are as fortunate as mine, so depending upon your location, they might not be one super close, but traditionally their is suppose to be one to cover every county in every state. My center covers six counties, we travel pretty much all of southwest Missouri.

## Post 14 by jen91_09 (777) on Sunday, 08-Sep-2013 10:43:26

We have centers like that around here to, and I've applied to some, but haven't gotten a job yet. I'm going to keep applying though. Did you have to travel a lot? It seems like a requirement here is to have a drivers license... I don't think they'd want me driving haha!

## Post 15 by Tila Tequila! (Zone BBS Addict) on Sunday, 08-Sep-2013 21:30:39

Oh, I was writing in response to the person they wanted you to help take care of. That would be a great match. For the actualy attendant there is not a requirement you drive, but most use that personal care attendant service to get to appointments so yes driving is most likely necessary. I actually work there in another department and I have an attendant of my own because I am blind and in a wheelchair. It is a great service, just getting insurance to pay can be difficult. My agency only excepts Medicaid which is Missouri healthnet insurance and we also take vererans benefits.
What state are you in?

## Post 16 by loves animals (This site is so "educational") on Wednesday, 11-Sep-2013 5:24:23

so interesting, smiles.

## Post 17 by jen91_09 (777) on Tuesday, 15-Oct-2013 11:56:38

I'm in ohio. ::) Thanks for all the respnses!
I actually found a job now, yay! Hope everybody's doing well :)
Jen

## Post 18 by loves animals (This site is so "educational") on Friday, 18-Oct-2013 21:28:39

congratulations, smiles.