Many of us find asking for helping difficult and yet most of us like to be able to help others! Why is there this contradiction? Maybe because for a lot of us our pride gets in the way.
June made her image for the exhibition to encourage others to feel that it’s ok to ask for, and to accept, help. She wanted people to know that so that they wouldn’t keep on struggling with tasks that others would be happy to lend a hand with. When we had the exhibition opening back in 2019 two of her grandsons came along (pictured above) to be part of the event with June. They often lend a hand with shopping and gardening whilst at the same time June often helps them.
And how about from the point of view of the family members and friends who support people to live with breathlessness?
At the same time as offering help it is important to let people who live with breathlessness do what they can manage. Sometimes though, it can be very hard for people living with and caring for someone with breathlessness. It is very important that you take time to look after yourself well and seek support from both friends and family and also from professionals when needed. Please download the Guide to living well with breathlessness for details of services that may be of interest to you.
Here are a couple of useful websites for people supporting those who are living with breathlessness:
The Beatles had it right when they sung “I get by with a little help from my friends…”