From. Vanya Patricia Ager
Age Aupport Almanzora.
Hi
I’m not usually one for talking so personally about my health etc. Oh, I like to joke about and post lots of silly threads etc and I’m always promoting Age Support Almanzora our local charity based in Albox which supports the elderly within our community by offering assistance with mobility aids, assistance with applications for UK benefits and befrienders for shopping and/or companionship. We raise money through our charity shop, donations from appreciative clients for our services and from our events held throughout the year. I am proud to be the president of this wonderful charity.
Because of the nature of our charity, we can’t post stories or photos of those we help, its not like sharing cute puppies or animals in distress when everyone says ah, or is disgusted by the treatment of abused animals. However, today I can give you a little insight into how we work.
One week today I was admitted into Virgen del Mar hospital in Almeria for ‘a total knee replacement’ surgery. I’m happy to say the surgeon’s happy with how the surgery went and I seem to be healing well. Total knee replacement is major surgery and takes a number of months for recovery. I knew I would be okay physically as I knew where I could go to (free) loan the mobility aids I will need to help with my recovery. I borrowed a walking frame and crutches to take with me into hospital and I put the frame to use on Friday when the nurses helped me out of bed and into a chair. I was so grateful to have the frame as it meant I could move about slowly on my own, giving me my independence back, which is very important to me. I didn’t use the crutches until the day I left hospital (Monday), Ray had brought a wheelchair in case we needed it but I nervously walked with the crutches from my room to the lift and then out to the waiting car to take me home. Ive since swapped the walking frame for a rollator and I can switch between the two depending on what I'm doing. We have also borrowed a toilet raiser which is a godsend for me (sorry for the personal info). Thankfully I haven’t needed a hospital bed, but there was one available at the time (for free). I know how lucky I am to know of the services offered by Age Support Almanzora, because if it wasn’t for ASA I would have had to either go into Mojacar and pay to rent equipment or buy them at a cost of over 200 euro.
We aren’t a ‘sexy’ charity, we don’t have business’s sponsoring us, I personally think some people ignore us as they don’t want to tempt fate by supporting us, just in case. I also think, our charity is here for the elderly in need, and it could (did) happen to me one day!
I hope my recent experience has given you a little insight into what we do to help where we can within our community. We are a great team of people who give our time for free, we would love to be able to offer more free facilities/services for our community but need the help of more great minded people to make this happen. If you would like to know more, please pop into our shop/welfare office, post a comment on fb, or pm me. Thank you fortaking. the time to read this post.
