In the 1980s Liana’s husband suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident and over time his cognitive and intellectual functioning significantly deteriorated. Together they were taken on an emotional rollercoaster.
Liana shares that, “It’s been emotional…a lot of grieving. I love my husband very much and we have always wanted to grow old together and suddenly it was just here. We’ve been together for 16 years, and then suddenly, that time was on us.”
Despite the challenges, Liana finds joy in caring for her husband and appreciates every minute she gets to spend with him saying, “I just love him so much and I am just happy that we are together and that we are where we are.”
Liana’s journey processing everything and recognising herself as a carer was gradual. It got to the point where the stress of the situation become overwhelming. During this period, she discovered Carer Gateway. Intrigued, she researched more about their services and got in touch with Carers WA.
Through Carers WA, Liana was able to access various support services and resources that helped her navigate the overwhelming process of caring for her husband. She underwent a personalised planning session to identify her needs over the phone and she was provided with information about different support services including information about My Aged Care and NDIS that she could utilise.
In addition to these resources, Liana also joined a fortnightly In-Person Peer Support group in her area. The group allowed her to connect with other carers and share her experiences. The group not only provided her with practical strategies but also offered emotional support and understanding from others who could relate to her journey.
Reflecting on her journey, Liana expressed that knowing support is available has made a profound difference in her life. ‘Knowing the support is there makes me feel safe, stronger, and more resilient,’ she shared.
She has also become more mindful of taking care of herself, realising that her wellbeing is crucial to her ability to care for her husband.
When asked what advice she would give to someone in a similar situation, Liana emphasised, “You don’t have to do it alone. There is so much support and help out there. After struggling for six months on my own, I found that having support made things significantly easier.”
