We are here with you in essentially the same position. Please know that you are definitely NOT invisible to us. Each post we value. You are our voice - the voice of many. We need to try to imagine all our voices together reading this - we’re a loud group. Despite appearances, we’re not alone. Thank you Valerie !
I'm here with you. along with my 28-yr-old child who cannot risk Covid without the chance of dying or just a dive into an even worse state of health.
Every time either of us has to venture out into the hellscape of healthcare, my anxiety peaks. Actual hospitalization (which was unavoidable this year) brings out absolute terror.
I manage the other daily "life" activities primarily because I'm now retired. But grocery shopping remains frightening.
And now we both never think twice about all of our precautions when stepping away from the safety of home. N95- check, hand sanitizer- check, etc.
I am in that position except I am the vulnerable one. (Am I extremely vulnerable? I'm guessing no but I think I'm on that line.)
It is very lonely and an incredibly hard place to be.
I worked with extremely vulnerable children until I was unable to work any longer. I've masked inside and out, from the beginning, as I worry about "my kids" and kids and adults like them. I have too much of an understanding of what this can do not to keep protecting them. It's all I can do for them now, but I am going to do it.
We have to fix this, you are right. This week I am writing letters to try and stop the mask bans they're talking about doing here. I don't know if it will do any good, but we have to try.
It was a very special thing to work with special kids and their families and I was fortunate to do it for as long as I did. Being a nurse was a great job.
Thank you Valerie. You most certainly are not alone. I recognise many of the same themes in my own life. I am not caring for someone like you are. Instead I am living with long covid (for almost 2 years so far). Like you, I do everything I can to avoid a covid (re) infection, because I suspect that would worsen my symptoms greatly. I don't go inside any building without a mask, I avoid large groups, etc. I also lack the energy to take part in society, concentrating to watch a film or play would be too much for me. I observe from the sidelines, amazed that once I used to live like the majority still do.
I am so sorry to hear that you are stuck in this reality as well. It’s hard enough being here and being well, but having the burden of Long Covid as well is so much to carry.
The idea that we would not support people to be as well as possible is just insane to me. But the rest of the world turning their backs on medically vulnerable people…? That’s not something I ever saw coming.
This solidarity is how we can build a path out of this situation. It means a lot to connect with others in a similar situation. I hope you are staying safe.
I am so sorry you are in the same position. It is beyond not OK. There has to be away we can shift the dial. All I know is that the key is to getting others to process this reality somehow.
We are here with you in essentially the same position. Please know that you are definitely NOT invisible to us. Each post we value. You are our voice - the voice of many. We need to try to imagine all our voices together reading this - we’re a loud group. Despite appearances, we’re not alone. Thank you Valerie !
It’s beyond wrong you are in this place too.
We somehow need to join our voices into a big public noise. Somehow…
One of the best descriptions I’ve read of what it’s like to be in this or a similar position.
Thank you. It’s a truly crazy situation to be in. I’m sorry you are experiencing similar things.
I'm here with you. along with my 28-yr-old child who cannot risk Covid without the chance of dying or just a dive into an even worse state of health.
Every time either of us has to venture out into the hellscape of healthcare, my anxiety peaks. Actual hospitalization (which was unavoidable this year) brings out absolute terror.
I manage the other daily "life" activities primarily because I'm now retired. But grocery shopping remains frightening.
And now we both never think twice about all of our precautions when stepping away from the safety of home. N95- check, hand sanitizer- check, etc.
I am in that position except I am the vulnerable one. (Am I extremely vulnerable? I'm guessing no but I think I'm on that line.)
It is very lonely and an incredibly hard place to be.
I worked with extremely vulnerable children until I was unable to work any longer. I've masked inside and out, from the beginning, as I worry about "my kids" and kids and adults like them. I have too much of an understanding of what this can do not to keep protecting them. It's all I can do for them now, but I am going to do it.
All I can do, as someone who benefitted so much from people like you, is to say a massive thank you for your work and your soul.
We have to fix this, somehow.
We have to fix this, you are right. This week I am writing letters to try and stop the mask bans they're talking about doing here. I don't know if it will do any good, but we have to try.
It was a very special thing to work with special kids and their families and I was fortunate to do it for as long as I did. Being a nurse was a great job.
You are NOT alone.
I may not be extremely vulnerable - only vulnerable - but I see you and I respect your life.
I’m not willing to forget you or ignore the science.
I’m sorry I’m only one but I’m sure I am not the only one.
Thank you. It means an extraordinary amount to read that.
A very close friend of mine was extremely vulnerable. I write in the past tense as she passed away about a year ago from a heart attack.
She was 76, extremely vulnerable and still shielding. She lived alone apart from her cat, who I now have.
We saw each other regularly and I really miss her.
Whereabouts are you? We need to stick together. I’ve gained a huge amount from being a part of the Clinically Vulnerable Facebook Group https://m.facebook.com/groups/clinicallyvulnerable/?ref=share. This was where your blog post was shared.
I’m in Sydney. I’ll try to join that group now.
And you are a good human for adopting your friend’s cat. I am so sorry for your loss.
Oh he has been an immense comfort to me.
I’m sorry I am a little far away. I’m in Beeston, Nottingham UK!
But I’m guessing there are others nearer to you. Maybe you can find them.
Always available for a chat I’m https://www.facebook.com/alison.barlow
Thank you Valerie. You most certainly are not alone. I recognise many of the same themes in my own life. I am not caring for someone like you are. Instead I am living with long covid (for almost 2 years so far). Like you, I do everything I can to avoid a covid (re) infection, because I suspect that would worsen my symptoms greatly. I don't go inside any building without a mask, I avoid large groups, etc. I also lack the energy to take part in society, concentrating to watch a film or play would be too much for me. I observe from the sidelines, amazed that once I used to live like the majority still do.
I am so sorry to hear that you are stuck in this reality as well. It’s hard enough being here and being well, but having the burden of Long Covid as well is so much to carry.
The idea that we would not support people to be as well as possible is just insane to me. But the rest of the world turning their backs on medically vulnerable people…? That’s not something I ever saw coming.
Here with you too. Thanks for writing this very moving piece x
Thank you.
This solidarity is how we can build a path out of this situation. It means a lot to connect with others in a similar situation. I hope you are staying safe.
I am so sorry you are in the same position. It is beyond not OK. There has to be away we can shift the dial. All I know is that the key is to getting others to process this reality somehow.