Meet Melinda, a devoted mother and loyal community member of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Melinda embraces the challenges of caring for her neurodiverse children, her husband with a complex medical condition, and aging parents on a full-time basis.
Her days are packed with ensuring their wellbeing, but her role extends beyond caring as she actively advocates for support, both personally and for her local community.
Living in a regional city like Kalgoorlie presents additional hurdles, making Melinda’s caring responsibilities even more complex.
She reached a point where life became overwhelming and she recognised her need for support.
“I reached a point where I needed to prioritise my own wellbeing. Carers WA provided crucial psychological support and connected me with a coach who gave personalised guidance tailored to my circumstances.”
Carers WA formed a pivotal part of her journey. This support not only lightened practical burdens but also renewed Melinda’s strength and resilience in caring. Their openness to providing regional support where possible has given Melinda hope.
Beyond the challenges, Melinda finds fulfillment in her caring role, viewing it as a journey of self-improvement and shared experiences with her loved ones.
“Caring is rewarding, it’s enjoyable. There’s a lot of self-improvement involved in it. It’s learning. It’s sharing as well. You get to share so much with the people around you”
And her advice to fellow carers is simple…
“Don’t hesitate to seek help. Even taking small steps towards assistance can bring significant relief and empowerment, both for yourself and those you care for.”
“You get this feeling that it’s all okay. If it gets really bad, I can ring Carers WA. Even when it’s not bad I can still ring Carers WA. And it’s just fabulous knowing that you’ve got someone in your corner who gets what you’re going through and is available all the time.”
