Stubborn lady

[Sibling DavidH]

This either belongs here or in the good news channel or both.

Wendy and I were driving into Hereford this morning when we saw one of the charity's participants walking the other way.

She's got some learning difficulties but lives independently with support.  She's my age and under 5 ft tall, probably weighs about 70lb.  At the moment she's got a bit of bronchitis.  Yet she set off to walk the 12 miles to the charity's HQ in Leominster, along a dangerous main road with no footpath.  Oh, and carrying 3 heavy bags.  She said she'd missed the bus.

Of course we did a U-turn and picked her up - at this point she'd walked less than a mile.  We didn't mind popping into Leominster and I also chatted with some of the other people there, so the trip wasn't wasted.  But she was very, very lucky we saw her.

I am very fond of this lady, but how to persuade her that trying to walk that distance on the A49, with no phone, is a really bad idea?  Well, we all gave her a bit of a lecture, so we'll see.

   

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

So long as she has friends like you?  She'll be fine.

[Griffin NoName]

Poor lady. I am glad you were able to help.

[Opsa]

Sounds like she values her independence and/or doesn't want to be a bother to other people.

My Mom is very much like that. Sometimes I have to come up with ways to show her that she's helping me by letting me taker her somewhere. (Sometimes she is being passive-aggressive and then I just keep quiet!)

Good vibes to you for being such a help!

[Sibling DavidH]

Yesterday we went into town and (Oh deepjoy) got a parking space at the supermarket.  Then, just outside in the street, we met this same small lady struggling with two large shopping-bags.  Her carer had said she couldn't take her to do her weekly shopping, so she decided to do it on her own.  We didn't mind driving her the two miles home (except for losing the parking space) and then, minus bags, to her afternoon activity.  But what was the carer up to?  I shall make some enquiries via Echo.  And why didn't our little friend phone Echo to see if anyone could help?     I thought we'd got it into her head last time that she shouldn't set off on these jaunts without calling us.   

But maybe there is a cosmic force for justice.  Back at the supermarket we again found a parking space. 

[pieces o nine]

It's nice to see a good turn being [rewarded] with a good turn, David.   

[anthrobabe]

Bravo sibling Bravo!

[Griffin NoName]

This kind of thing is what always worries me about carers. Well done.

[Opsa]

I am happy that there are people like DavidH in the world.

[Sibling DavidH]

That's very kind, Opsa, but when you get inside the world of supporting the disabled, you see that there are lots and lots of people helping and doing their little bit.  You make some wonderful friends among the helpers as well as the disabled people and you get a lot more out than you put in.

The lady in question has a sister who is far more disabled than she is, and every time she sees me and Wendy she rushes over and gives us a big hug.  That's the kind of thing that really matters in life.

You, too, give a lot to your kids' drama and I'm sure you feel the same.

[Opsa]

Yes, I do. But they come to me. You're out there going out of your way for these lil' Stubborn Ladies and others like them. There are some that would just look the other way.

[Griffin NoName]

  You make some wonderful friends among the helpers as well as the disabled people and you get a lot more out than you put in.
[/quote]

Helpers who are going to be even more needed when the wretched disgusting welfare bill is passed into law. 

[Sibling DavidH]

Same lady AGAIN!  This time it wasn't her fault; she'd been waiting 1½ hours at the bus-stop and the bus never came.  She had her phone, and was trying to get someone to help when we spotted her and took her home.

[Opsa]

Poor thing! Until you spotted her, that is. 

[Griffin NoName]

That poor lady. Good for you.

[Sibling DavidH]

Wendy was in a card shop on Saturday when she heard a familiar voice making a fuss at the till.  Yes, it was her.  She'd told the assistant she wanted cards for her sister and her dad and presented two totally wrong cards.  The assistant wasn't free to leave the till and help her select cards, so it was lucky Wendy was around.

Hereford is a small town and she's very noticeable for her size!

[Opsa]

So she won't ask for rides from a willing friend but demands help from a busy cashier? Oh dear.

[Griffin NoName]

Lucky lady to have Wendy around.