A day in the life!

I don't work anymore, I used to but I gave it up in 1999 and received Incapacity Benefit. That's one of the benefits I receive. In the UK disabled people get a benefit called the Disability Living Allowance, there are two parts; the first one is to cover some living costs like carer costs; the second one is a mobility allowance which is help for getting around, towards vehicle costs or public transport costs. These benefits go a long way in making my life easier as I don't have to worry about having to find money to live on. My needs aren't very great.
I don't get up in the mornings until 9am as there's not much to do. Because of my disabilities I need carers to get me out of bed, shower and dress me and help me into my wheelchair. Once in my wheelchair I can get around my flat, more of which later. I generally watch some drama or documentary that I have recorded on my Sky + before lunch and afterwards I go on my computer and the internet. I log onto the Formula 1 sites to keep up-to-date with whats going on, read the newspaper sites and it's surprising how quickly time goes. At 6pm I turn on the BBC 1 news and then watch various programs until about 9pm when I start to get ready for bed. At 9.30pm the carers come in to put me to bed. Horrible time to go to bed and, oh, so early, you will say. But the carers knock off at 10pm and it normally takes about 1/2 hour to put me to bed. Once in bed I will watch more recorded programs from Sky + or a DVD on the TV in my bedroom, conveniently situated where I can see it!
This is a day in my life where not much happens. As a wheelchair user I am very restricted and can only go outside in the cold weather if I have a coat or jacket put on me by a carer. My carers come to see me at set times, 9am to get me up, 12.30pm for lunch, a half hour call, at 3pm to make me a coffee or help me on with my jacket if I want to go out, at 4.30pm to help me take the coat off and some personal things if I need them, at 5pm for 15 minutes for my tea call and finally at 9.30pm to put me to bed. There are days when I go out to see my daughter, Charlotte and her son Zak, or to meetings at the Papworth Trust, so my call times will be adjusted accordingly.
I will write more about going out in another blog, also about my hopes in getting an assistance dog.
See you later!
Bruce