"I feel much better knowing she is there"

My carer, Margot, is a gem of a girl. She is a right comedian.

I remember the first day she took me for a shower. I didn’t want to go, I didn’t want to undress in front of anybody, I folded my arms and said ‘no’. Margot left me and then shouted for me to come and have a look at what she was doing – she was standing with a rain mate on her head, a pinnie on and a toilet brush in her hand – she said ‘you ready for your shower now? ’ What could I do but laugh? She explained that she would wash my back and I could do my front and that way she wouldn’t see anything. This is what we did and I never lost any dignity or respect.

Margot is also there for me when my daughter is away on holiday. She tells me I can phone her anytime even during the night. I’ve never needed to call but I feel much better knowing she is there.