Fund a better life

THE Mail is doing a brilliant job of making us aware of the problems of older generations paying for care, and the stress of families who are looking after loved ones at home.

But what about a younger generation whose social services do not have funding to meet their needs?

My 29- year- old granddaughter, Maria, has quadruple cerebral palsy, but her brain is excellent and that is the downfall, as she does not fit under a label of brain-damaged, or challenging behaviour, for example.

She needs 24-hour care because, although she can use her phone and computer, she cannot maintain them, nor can she prepare drinks or food.

Then we get into the question of one-to- one hours with a carer so Maria can eat out, see family, go to the theatre, etc. She is now reduced to five hours a week! online shopping and ready-meals are a must.

Maria enjoys browsing supermarkets and would love meals made from scratch and the opportunity to get out in her Motability car (no drivers!).

In her words: ‘Hospital gave me life, now let me have a life.’ Social services need more funds for everyone.

MARY PATEY, Taunton, Somerset.

WITHOUT hesitation or demur, I take my hat off to the women who freely provide care for their loved ones (Mail).

They are showing the true spirit of compassion, something sadly lacking elsewhere in our country.

However, please do not forget that men can also be carers; indeed, I am providing care for my terminally ill father, and at the risk of my own wellbeing. (I suffer with insomnia and mild obstructive sleep apnoea.)

To say we both resent this is putting it mildly; this country wastes money on a bloated foreign aid budget to the detriment of our NHS, social services and welfare system.

We have forgotten that charity begins at home, and unless we remember that soon, we will see even more misery, bitterness and division than we are witnessing now.

DAVID BROAD, Dartford, Kent.