Brian’s journey as a carer has been a rollercoaster – full of challenges, determination, and heartwarming triumphs. Living in Ballarat with his wife of nearly 50 years, Mischelle, he never imagined that one day he’d find himself stepping into the role of her carer. But when Mischelle was unexpectedly hospitalised after a serious medical crisis, Brian’s world turned upside down.
Carer Gateway’s services have helped him find his way through. When Mischelle spent 93 days in various hospitals, growing increasingly unwell, Brian’s gut told him something was wrong. He pushed for a second opinion and discovered that the medication she was taking for Parkinson’s was causing delirium.
A simple adjustment led to Mischelle’s health improving and a return back home, it was then that Brian was left to navigate the complexities of being a full-time carer. Brian was overwhelmed.
“I was mentally drained, going home from the hospital in tears,” he recalls. That’s when he discovered Carer Gateway. “When I rang Carer Gateway, the worker I was assigned to, Lisa, was very supportive.”
“I very much appreciated the support I received from Carer Gateway and have already referred a friend whose husband is in the early stages of dementia. She is very grateful for the referral and the assistance she is receiving.”
From online resources to mental health counselling and respite care, Carer Gateway gave Brian the tools he needed to regain his footing. “I had a break for three weeks – a trip to the Northern Territory. Lisa was able to pick me up from my shoestrings and help me get back to some normality. Recently, Mischelle and I both attended a walking group, which was a great marker of how far we’ve come.”
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