Kim lives with Parkinson's disease and is supported by her husband, Jack, who is her primary carer. Through her own experience and connections with others in the Parkinson's community, Kim has seen firsthand the dedication, patience and compassion that carers bring to their role every day. She wrote this poem as a heartfelt tribute to unpaid carers, recognising not only the practical support they provide, but also the emotional challenges they carry as they support a loved one through illness and change. A lifelong lover of writing, Kim finds poetry a meaningful way to express her experiences and reflect on the people who make a difference in her life.
I admire each one of you who cares with such devotion
Who must have a rollercoaster of emotion
You bathe, you dress, you drive them to their appointments
You give them their pills and apply ointments
I’m sure you often cry yourself to sleep
The love you have for them is still so deep
Please give yourself some time, just for you
Because you need love and attention too
If you can get a carer for just half a day
Go somewhere special and ask “Do I feel okay”?
My husband is my carer. I’m at the start of my disease.
His life is his; it shouldn’t cease
He’s also my hero, my safe place and my friend
I hope with acceptance, his heart will mend
Please thank these carers, one and all
Because they’re the people you can rely on if you fall.
Help others understand the real impact of care for unpaid carers. Whether you’re a primary, secondary, former or young carer, your story matters - and we want to hear it!
