Della's story: line dancing and letting go

Della's story: line dancing and letting go

Della is a full-time carer for her son, who lives with severe epilepsy, cognitive impairment and paralysis. Due to his disabilities, Della's son is unable to communicate his needs or carry out even the simplest daily tasks independently. As a result, Della provides support in every aspect of his life, from personal care and mobility support, to managing his health needs and providing constant emotional reassurance.

Caring for her son is a role Della undertakes with dedication and love, but it is also physically and emotionally demanding. Although she is sometimes able to take time for herself when her son attends a local club or when her sister is available to provide support; opportunities for a break remain limited.

During conversations about taking a break and focusing on her own wellbeing, Della spoke about her love of country music and her longing to try line dancing. She felt it would be a fun way to meet people, keep active and enjoy something that was just for her. With support in place, Della used a Time to Live microgrant to attend local line dancing classes.

The experience exceeded her expectations. Not only did she enjoy learning new dances, but she also found a welcoming community of people who shared her interests and understood the importance of friendship and social connection.

"I loved it. It was brilliant and I made so many new friends, all with similar interests. At these sessions, I was able to be myself and not just a carer."

Attending the classes gave Della something positive to look forward to each week. The sessions provided a valuable opportunity to step away from her caring responsibilities for a short time, focus on herself and enjoy being part of a group.

In addition to the social benefits, line dancing has also had a positive impact on her physical health and overall wellbeing. The regular activity has helped her stay active, boost her confidence and reduce feelings of isolation.

The Time to Live grant has made a meaningful difference to Della's life. It has enabled her to harness her passion, build new friendships and prioritise her own wellbeing while continuing in her demanding caring role.

Find out more about Time to Live here.