McCain podcast 6: Pandemic with Chubado
In the sixth episode of Table Talk, Paddy and Christine speak to dad Chubado, who lives in Glasgow with his two sons and two daughters.
Naeema is fourteen and was born with Cerebral Palsy. “Naeema is my second eldest child. She has a fifteen year old brother, a twelve year old sister and a seven year old brother.
“Their Mummy died in 2015, when my youngest son was four months old, so I have had to raise them on my own. It’s really hard as a lone parent, but the pandemic made things even tougher. I was thinking all the time about if I died, what would happen to my children.”
“When Naeema was younger she needed 24hour care as she couldn’t dress, wash or feed herself. She gets startled every few minutes, and the jumps make her fall to the floor so she uses a walking frame to help. She cannot walk long distances, it has restricted her activities, she can’t play or run like other children.
“I still help her with wearing splints, ironing her cloths, cleaning her room, sometimes I help her with her uniform but now she is older and with physiotherapy, she is becoming more independent. She still needs her wheelchair and walking frame, but her development has been steady.
“Naeema is a blessing to me. Having her is a joy. She is always smiling and so happy.”
Impact of COVID-19
“It was the middle of June 2020 when the pandemic was the scariest part for me. It affected my emotional and mental health, and wellbeing.”
“I think like other families we found the pandemic hard; it was especially hard for the children to understand. We had support from their schools with meal vouchers and someone delivered vegetables. I did whatever I could to get food for the children.”
“Naeema’s many appointments had all been set back or cancelled because they cannot be completed on a computer. And my younger daughter was diagnosed with arthritis and needed injections, so when they were cancelled her knee became inflamed.
“I feel like I have to be strong for the children and do whatever I can to help them, but that time was so confusing for me. The children were able to adapt but I have been left with a lot of anxiety. I am still here and alive though, I got through it.”
How Family Fund helped
“We were fortunate enough to hear about Family Fund back in 2017 when they helped us with a laptop for Naeema.
“Then we got help with a dishwasher. Before, we had been in temporary accommodation but now we are in our adapted house the dishwasher is so helpful to my entire family.”
The family also received grants towards holidays through Take a Break Scotland, a short break fund administered on behalf of the Scottish Government by Family Fund. “We took a family holiday to Liverpool to visit some family friends. The children enjoyed it very much, so memorable that they talk about it all the time and I loved to see them so happy.”
Taking part in the podcast
“I felt excited because it was my first time to be on a podcast. The key motivation for me was trying to reach out as I think the only way forward is to share. I believe that sharing is the best cure for emotions. Families like mine have been through a lot during the recent years, but when you share your heart felt story, people understand that they are not alone.
“Meeting Christine and Paddy was the greatest honour. As I grow older, I tend to be become more introverted, mostly I listen more than I talk. But with Paddy and Christine all this has changed. They are charismatic, sincere, very polite, empathetic, kind and easy to talk to.
“I hope it will help listeners to understand that whatever circumstances you may find yourself in try not to give up. Stay strong. I believe you grow through what you go through.”