“We’re all a bit more relaxed because we’ve been away and done something as a family.”
Kay's Story
Kay, or ‘Nan’ to Amelia (14) and Eden (9) set off from their home in the West Midlands, along with carer Becky. This was the first holiday Kay has had with her granddaughters since their mother passed away two and a half years ago.
Amelia and Eden now live with Kay who has disabilities. The girls help out at home by making tea and dressing their Nan.
Kay knew it was important that Amelia and Eden managed to have a proper break from their caring duties which is why Becky joined them for the holiday.
The holiday was our time to be ourselves. You don’t relax at home like you do when you’re on holiday. The kids were able to go to bed late, get up late. The time was theirs to choose what they wanted to do. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of them having all the fun they deserve. It was lovely!
On the first day they wrapped up warm and spent the day on the beach. Before they went on holiday, Eden was looking forward to the evening entertainment, and Amelia wanted to play pool.
Kay just wanted her granddaughters to have a chance to relax and have fun. The holiday fulfilled all their wishes and more. Kay says they have never had so many belly laughs!
Kay uses a wheelchair and was a bit worried before the holiday that they would have problems getting around. But she can’t sing the praises of the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park enough.
The holiday park was great! Completely geared up for wheelchairs so no problems with accessibility at all. I didn’t want the fact I’m in a wheelchair to mean the girls would miss out, and they didn’t miss out on a thing.
For other families, especially those with accessibility needs, Kay has this to say:
It was brilliant. Getting away was a chance to reset, for the girls to enjoy themselves.
Kay says she doesn’t know what she would do without her girls and the help they give her.
The holiday was a real chance for them to just be themselves as a family. With Becky there to help with caring duties, Amelia and Eden could focus on making happy memories with their Nan.
Amelia is at the age where she’s been less cuddly with Kay, but since they’ve got home Kay has noticed she’s getting many more hugs!
Their planned journey ended up being much longer - but no one grumbled. Kay, Amelia, Eden and Becky laughed from beginning to end and turned everything into an adventure.