Age » My StoryMy StoryYoung People
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''They (health professionals) think that young people know nothing; they insinuate
that single parents can't cope and think you need to have older people looking
after you and your baby.''
(Debbie aged 17)
(Gingerbread) |
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''I spent the first couple of nights sleeping on a golf course. Basically, there
was nowhere else for me to go. I was too young to get into Simon, or get a flat.''
(from Simon Community,1997) |
"They (teachers) thought because you were disabled that you could not cope with
the strain of doing exams''
(Sachr, 1994, Disability, HMSO) |
''I would never go to the doctors, but when I did, I always felt like I shouldn't
be there…when you go in you have a list of things wrong with you…but when you
go in you only think of two things because you feel like they can't wait to get
you out''
(Mann-Kler, 1997) |
''I developed more confidence, feel a lot more comfortable talking in front of
people, and more capable of working in a team'' |
''Things began to change when I became involved in a local young men's project
supported by YouthAction NI. The project encouraged me to think about my life
and what was really important to me. Most of all, it challenged me to look at
myself and I thought, “this is me – what am I playing at?”
(Source: YouthAction – Supporting Young People in Communities Review 2000 – 2001
YouthAction NI) |
''It's hard not to get involved in violence. You need to have done it to know
it's bad. You see it all the time on TV and in the community and think it's 'just
a good laugh' like some sort of entertainment. But once you're involved it's hard
to get out of.''
(Source: Everyday life, Young Man, Violence and Developing Youth Work Practice
in Northern Ireland YouthAction NI) |
My Story - Older People
''Just because you are older doesn't mean to say that your life stops and you
stop enjoying life"
Coleraine |
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''Life can be sweet no matter what age you are
Belfast |
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''Since we have retired, it has given us the opportunity to do the things we
always dreamt of…playing golf, holidays and looking after our two dogs''
Bangor |
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''Now that I have retired my wife and I look after our two grandchildren while
their mum works. It has given us a new lease of life''
Belfast | (Source: Help the Aged)
Case Studies
Source: Help the Aged, SeniorLine
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Mrs C is a full-time carer for her husband who has a debilitating illness. She
was told by a member of staff from social services that she required respite care
of 2 weeks due to the pressure of caring. She was subsequently informed that she
was not eligible and could only avail of a sitting service. After making a number
of phone calls it turned out that a breakdown in communications had occurred as
Mrs C and her husband were not known to care management and the person who advised
them about respite care was actually an occupational therapist. |
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Mr D was advised on his discharge from hospital that he needed a commode. In
spite of this he had not been given one two weeks after hospital discharge. He
found it difficult to contact the district nursing service. Eventually 4 weeks
later the problem was solved after the intervention of relatives and SeniorLine
service. |
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