review of
Like I'm running in a hurdle race

Like I'm running in a hurdle race

We all like to aspire to a care-free life, but what happens when we have to care for someone, someone we already know and perhaps love, who also once lived without care, or maybe cared for us as we grew up?

We become carers. Like I'm running in a hurdle race is about this process or journey. Not from a detached 'objective' 'neutral' or 'professional' viewpoint, but as the cover says, "reflections on caring in Sandwell, West Midlands, in the words of the carers themselves." It must have been difficult for them to discover and then let go of these words. It is a simple but by no means easy book to read. It is a glimpse behind front doors, and we don't like to be nosey, do we? Also we don't really want to think that we might need care ourselves or care for others. Life is hard enough as it is.

So why read - or write - the book? Not merely because there are millions of carers in the country, and millions more to come. No, simply this: to share and validate their experience; to understand and learn from their expertise as well as mistakes expertise is born from; to be able to say "This is how it's done."

It is a practical book. A practical book about understanding the feelings and emotions that carers undergo. Most relationships involve, perhaps require a certain amount of conflict; caring occurs because and despite of them. For example, the sections 'Conflicting Emotions' and 'Treats and Relief' explain how feelings can layer upon themselves, and how to deal with them. It is practical - take the respite care on offer: it's what it's there for.

It's written in straightforward words. Dave Reeves has edited the words and images he and Kim Fuller collected in an understated sensitive way. Incidentally you discover that Betty Bothroyd was involved at the start of CARES Sandwell - no big deal. You feel these are ordinary people getting to grips with extraordinarily difficult but not unusual difficulties and joys. There is no unnecessary polish, literary reworking or cleverness like the line-split in "clip/pings" in the poem I wrote above. Seeing what they have to say in print adds weight and meaning. In this ordinariness is an extra-ordinary nobility of spirit and purpose. You feel privileged to read their words

A privilege. Who should read Like I'm running in a hurdle race? Anyone concerned with caring and carers, for a kick-off. That's the DHSS, all the social service departments in the country, the new NHS Primary Care Trusts, care and nursing homes, Age Concern, national and local carers organisations, and anyone with grandparents. Here's why. The other day I was helping to make teas at our local community centre for a meeting of care home managers. No residents were present, even though The Friday Club was in full swing opposite where seventy year olds were serving dinners to eighty year olds without a 'professional' in sight. I asked "where are the residents?" "Oh, they have their own meetings," came the pat-on-the-head there-there explanation. "We wouldn't want them to feel intimidated by these professionals." Everyone of those 'professionals' should read and understand the weight and meaning of Like I'm running in a hurdle race before receiving their next wage packet - how else did these people in care start to feel intimidated by their professional carers in the first place?

Enough of the soapbox. Like I'm running in a hurdle race is a good read, full of humour as much as pathos, and well worth a fiver.

David Fine, Lit-Net Co-ordinator

Like I'm running in a hurdle race edited by Dave Reeves is published by CARES Sandwell, The Carers' Centre, Edward Cheshire House, 2 Bearwood Road, Smethwick, West Midlands B66 4HH
tel: 0121 558 7003 (9-5 Monday to Friday) fax: 0121 558 7229
£5 a copy, cheques or postal orders made out to CARES Sandwell

click here how to foster reader development in care homes click here for review of A Crocus Selection - northwest poetry in print and braille click Discussion to hear about Literature and Disabilities