Hi, I am Amanda from Australia. Lockdown was one of the best times that I experienced. In the time when we are all busy with our jobs and studies, it was the time that we all got to spend together as a family and enjoy delicious food cooked at home.
My Mum, brother Louise, and my grandparents too were here and we loved spending quality time together and focusing on making some great memories, while things have been difficult.
Over the past nine weeks, our families have been shielding at home now. This has now become a different way of life for us, with my husband working from home, upstairs in the playroom of our children, and my kids Heidi and Noah home-schooling themselves.
However, having an incredibly fragile kid during lockdown doesn’t come without its difficulties. My mother was undergoing emergency tests and had an operation that was imminently scheduled to take place. Of course, the operation has now been delayed, and experts are trying to find the best possible way to conduct the tests. In the meantime, my mom, unfortunately, learns how to ‘put up with’ the most prevalent body spasms that take over his body during the night, without us understanding what the cause is and without care. This is as well as having to tackle one of his complicated situations, waking him up each night in a less than desirable way, in order to keep her alive.
In our early days of shielding, the toughest thing was getting groceries and important things. Our nominated person to do the food shop was my husband, Stuart, who took extra care to try and reduce the risks. I’m talking about putting anti-bac on keys, glasses, washing clothing, and the second he stepped through the door, straight into the shower! Fortunately, we now have a vulnerable government home delivery slot and a food parcel full of important products every week. This has been a godsend, as it suggests that there is no need for needless publicity.
Lockdown was full of ups and downs but was also one of the best times that we have spent in ages. We got to know a lot more about each other and one of the best things that happened was I got to learn cooking.
My mum has been the best cook and used to make me relish the best delicacies during the holidays. This time I made sure to note down the recipes she follows.
It can be truly impossible not to go out for walks. The weather has been beautiful! We are very fortunate that last year we made our small garden accessible so that we can enjoy some fresh air and exercise, but it’s not quite the same as going out. From time to time, we are allowed to go for a rare stroll, but with plenty of extra precautions in place again. When we go, my mum does not use her wheelchair because of the chance of germs on her wheels. Yet she loves being high up and unable to touch anything in the backpack carrier! We are still concerned when we go out. From home, we still prefer very isolated routes to try to stop seeing others and have wipes and gel on hand.
Due to COVID-19, we have had our two recent holidays canceled and have not had a vacation since just before Christmas. This place is typically our refuge, out of daily life’s hustle and bustle.
We still have the same things to juggle, despite being at home, and it is harder to do so in several respects. The treatment of my mother, the treatments, the virtual appointments that can even last up to two hours!
Owing to the current situation and handling challenging issues at home without as much assistance, our medical problems are now heightened. Not to mention, home-schooling is, of course, a new one added to the list, and Stuart also balances his full-time job. So we miss our little breaks, a lot, and wish that everything get back on track and we can lead our life as it used to be before coronavirus gave us a tough time.
I am from a family who is seriously waiting for the vaccination to come and give us relief in our life again.