Categories: uncategorized
Date: 23 April 2008 15:42:22
Here's the latest developments in Guy's life and mine...
Guy's still not completely himself but has improved a fair bit since Christmas. He's just moved from DP to a place in Bristol called CO. It's a place geared towards supporting people coming out of mental hospital into getting back on their feet. I can't say how grateful we are as a family that he has the current month's trial there.
It's been ages since began looking at Camphill Village Trust for Guy to go and live. Since September though, with him being in hospital, we've had that many ups & downs regarding whether they'd consider him for a placement that I'd easily call it a roller-coaster. Anyhow, after a few set-backs and failed meetings the funding panel gave the go-ahead for Guy to spend 4 weeks at CO to see how he fares.
He moved on the 13th and Dad visited last Saturday and his feedback has been very positive about how Guy is in himself & hs progress. I've not heard Dad sound that positive or relieved in months.
I need everyone to pray that this works out so Guy can be in a good supportive place where he can get into an active routine & find himself again. He'd be there for 18 months if I remember right.
Now, the consequence of Guy being at CO is this: my housing situation goes down the pan.
While someone is temporarily in hospital or a similar place, housing benefit will continue paying their rent so they keep their permanent abode. Guy's past 8 months in DP come under that remit. I've only been paying my half of the rent for our house all that time. But as soon as Guy secures a placement at CO, that becomes his permanent residence and housing benefit will pay for that instead of here.
The problem is that I can't afford to pay the whole rent for the house (or therefore for any house or flat since our rent is actually one of the lowest I've seen). I barely break even on my part-time wage due to paying of a loan and I've been doing a lot of overtime all of which goes to pay of credit card debts, so renting the whole house isn't feasible. Overtime hours aren't guaranteed even though recently they've come fast & numerous, but with all the precarity that has come to light in work over the past month, I'm not sure I can count on even my job.
My need here is for prayers and ideas.
I have about 6 weeks in which I could ...
- look for a new housemate (will I get on with them?)
- consider a bedsit or place to lodge (as I assume they're the only way I can find somewhere slightly cheaper)
- look for a good enough job down at Dad's and move there (sounding better & better frankly)
- see if there're jobs going near any family or friends who can put me up (the world is my oyster but I need a job!)
- do what I feel like doing at times which is panic & give up (not an option)
- any other suggestions??
I'll say no more at present about what W seem to be up to with their kids homes & the staff who work there but do spare a thought for us all, a good 100 people in total I'd guess. And then there's the rest of life, and that also is for another chapter.
Chat about this if you like by the way. I value the prayer I think each of you and those you're close to will give.
Yikes!
Thanks for reading
Oh, and if you want me to get any comments, you'll have to hope I remember to check here or ring me. I say that because I've tried and tried to change my email in the wiblog preferences and sent the guys and email asking them to help but had neither success or reply. My usual address was spam-ridden and I've closed it so comments now have no destination.