‘We’re always there for each other’
Devoted husband Ron Collins cares for wife Lynn, a member of the Yours Carers in Touch group, who has numerous health problems
Ron Collins had to grow up quickly after his mother died when he was just 14 years old. He learned to cook and clean and says learning domestic skills when he was a teenager have helped him in his role as a carer.
Ron cares full-time for his wife, Lynn, who can’t be left alone as she suffers from intractable migraine – an incurable condition.
Now Ron wants to encourage other carers – particularly men – that it’s possible to enjoy life, even when things get stressful.
“We laugh every day at silly little jokes,” says Ron, who has been married to Lynn for 52 years. “Laughing is the only way to face some situations when caring. Often if we didn’t laugh we’d cry but we always find something to smile about – even if Lynn is going through a bad patch.”
Lynn is a member of the Yours Carers in Touch group and is thrilled that she has already made some new friends.
“Life can be lonely – even with a family – and you feel you are the only one with problems,” says Lynn. “Joining the group has opened a whole new world.”
Lynn has faced many bad patches in recent years; a full blood transfusion some years ago left her with severe allergies to
E numbers and nuts and other issues.
She also has emphysema, which makes breathing difficult and six years ago, had a hip replacement that left her with a severe limp as one leg is now shorter than the other.
However, it’s migraine problems which cause the main difficulties in her life as when one strikes, she can fall straight to the floor and become blind and paralysed until it passes. Her condition is kept under control with medication and Ron now gives her intravenous morphine.
“I always say Ron should have been a doctor,” says Lynn. “He takes care of all my medication and takes me to my appointments. He’s an amazing carer and a very good cook too. His roast dinners are fantastic!
“I never know when a migraine is going to come on, it can happen at any moment and then I just pass out. We could be out or we could be at home. I can’t see anything and I can’t move until it passes. One day Ron went to the local shop for something and came back to find me on the floor. That’s why he never leaves me alone now. I couldn’t possibly manage without his care.”
Ron runs his own accountancy business from home so he’s always on hand if Lynn needs him.
“I love Lynn and she loves me,” said Ron. “We’ve had our ups and downs but we care for each other. We’re always there for each other no matter what.
“Gardening is a lifeline for me. I spent hours outside last summer. When I’m gardening, I’m not thinking about anything else.”
■ The Migraine Trust offers advice and support.
Call 0203 951 0150 or visit www.migrainetrust.org