Facebook Pixel

Comment Reply

I really feel for you. Not that I am a hoarder (yet...) but in being unable to do some of the normal things that everyone takes for granted, and the terrible fear that surrounds that. My driver's licence was taken away from me back in January because of the state of my feet, and then I had no way to get anything - not a happy way to be. Thanks so much Doctor Nicholls for being so understanding and forward-thinking (NOT!) and rendering me completely isolated.

Among other things - "Powdered milk is my preference", I said to my kids - rather than tell them that I could not manage to get fresh, so I used powdered to hide the fact - so many little subterfuges and tricks to try to keep ahead, keep safe, keep well -

Then I got a mobility scooter - wonderful! Until the day it shorted out between here and the station and I was stranded - and terrified. Really, really, terrified. Being helpless on the side of the road is beyond hell for me I discovered. Now the Government has provided me with a powered wheel chair which is much more capable and not so likely to conk out - great, eh? It is also very large and heavy, so I got bogged out in my own garden. Up to the hub-caps in soft soil. Could not get back into the house. The exit doors were all locked, the gate was locked (you can see that I have safety issues...doh!) and my daughter was away in another town visiting her in-laws. Sat in my garden and unable to even go to the toilet, and just trying to think what to do, how to get help, on a Sunday afternoon. In the end I rang my daughter and just sat and waited until she arrived at my house, having left her function early to come and help me. She was not happy - she was a little cross. Why had I not taken my stick? What was I thinking? Couldn't I have called out to the neighbours? (I did, but they were playing very loud music, and either did not hear me, or chose to ignore me - and they could not have got in, anyway - everything is locked...)

So when I read how you collect the items you are afraid of running out of my heart simply swelled with sympathy. Do you think that maybe you are not really a hoarder as such, but simply terrified? 'What would your cats do?' must run through your head - How would you manage? I feel so much for you - because I know how terrified and alone I get with my disability and mental health issues - sending waves of kindness and support your way

September 14, 2011 - 1:47am

Reply

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy