Corio’s Margaret Farrell goes from carer to cared for

Corio’s Margaret Farrell spent years looking after her son and his father. But now the tables have turned, and she needs to be taken care of.

Margaret Farrell and her son, Cameron Jeanes. Picture: Alan Barber

Margaret Farrell spent much of her life caring for others, but now she needs looking after.

The 73-year-old lives in Corio with her son Cameron Jeanes, 43.

Ms Farrell spent about 15 years caring for her ex-husband, who died last year.

He had diabetes and heart and leg problems, and Ms Farrell said she “basically” did everything for him.

Mr Jeanes was diagnosed with epilepsy just before he turned 30.

He had a seizure in his bedroom while his mum was nearby in the lounge room.

“I’d just finished doing a course on chronic diseases and epilepsy was one of the subjects,” Ms Farrell said.

“As soon as I heard it I knew what was going on, called triple-0 and made sure he was on his side.

“It must have been meant to be.”

Medication has helped Mr Jeanes and his seizures have decreased in frequency.

Ms Farrell said he had not had one for about eight months.

He now needs to care for his mum, who suffers rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and scoliosis.

She said while she blocked out the pain while caring for her ex-husband, it had caught up with her.

“You block it out because you’ve just got to do it,” she said

Ms Farrell said the transition had been “frustrating” but she was grateful.

“I like to do things for myself,” she said.

“In some ways I think carers do get recognition but in other ways they don’t.

“Until you have actually been through having seen someone with a seizure, it takes just as much out of you as the person having the seizure.”

Throughout her journey Ms Farrell has received support such as gardening assistance and respite.

She used respite for herself while caring for her late ex-husband, but now uses it to give their son a break.

“It’s important for carers to be able to care for themselves,” she said.

To mark National Carers Week Geelong’s Catenary Lights, at the intersection of Moorabool and Malop streets, will be illuminated with the colours of Carers Victoria until Saturday.

National Carers Week is an annual event that provides a platform to acknowledge and

celebrate the efforts of unpaid carers.

Carers Victoria chief executive Judith Abbott said it was a time to acknowledge and celebrate the millions of unpaid carers who provided vital support to loved ones.

This year, Carers Victoria is asking Victorians ‘Care for a Carer’.

“During Carers Week, we are asking everyone to take the time to connect with someone they know in a caring role,” Ms Abbott said.

“It might be a phone call, a quick visit, or taking them out for a coffee or a bite to eat: just making that connection can make a big difference.”

Originally published as Corio’s Margaret Farrell goes from carer to cared for