Wish I could help my mom
I've been disabled (wheelchair) for six years now. I live with my mom, a retired senior, who's also disabled, in fact, using my old wheelchair. We've both been very independent for a long time; I useparatransitservice to get around, I grocery shop, I cook our meals, I rely on social servicesonly for things I'm unable to do for myself. The doctors have told me that my condition will get worse over the years, so I don't want to become a bigger burden than I have to beuntilI have to be.
But my mom is another issue; he seems to have given up. She spends most of every day sitting at the window, watching the world go by. She has a social serviceshousekeeper who comes twice a week, and all she does is wash the dishes, take out the trash, and occasionally mop the kitchen floor, basically getting 8 hours pay for 2 hours of work. My sister, who moved in with us after exhausting her savings, does our laundry and runs errands for Mom in exchange for room and board, use of Mom's car, free cable, andwi-fi.
Every day, I listen to them arguing, because she treats our mother like a child, scolding her for not getting up when she tells her to get out of bed, or eating a snack at night. The woman who raised mewouldn't let herself be taken advantage of this way, or be treated this way by her own child. I don't know how much longer I can watch this go on.
I've been through physical and occupational therapy, where I learned to adjust, accept the things I can't do, but alsoto not shy away from what I can. I didn't choose to use adult diapers, bladder protection ads, and urinals, but I accept them over the alternative. I wish my mom would get a littlemoxie, so she would stand up, at least figuratively, to my sister, and report this rotten excuse for a housekeeper. But I can't make her. If I could, I'd be treating her like the dotteringold incompetent woman my sister tells everyone she is. And I want my mom to keep her dignity.
Oh gosh! Have you tried talking to your sister? I'm so sorry you and your mom have been put in this position. I'm really glad that you're still keeping strong but just remember that help isn't a bad thing so don't feel shy to reach out for it. I hope your mom finds peace with your sister though!
Thank you for your response. I am very grateful for the help of others; I'm not too proud to ask for it. But I want to do what I can while I can. Maybe my views are colored by my sister's actions; she tries to control our mother as if she can't make her own decisions. What she'd really like to do, is have her declared incompetent and take her home away from her.
it's so tough what you're going through. You seem like a very caring daughter.
hi cookieMan,
im glad you felt able to post,as i can feel for your situation with your mum and sister. If ever you want to talk please feel free to message me,im here most of the time as myself and my husband are both disabled.
please take care alternativerainbow x x x