'I'm not useless'

Grandad has had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for many, many years. I've only ever known his strength to slowly decline. Grandad's memory has also slowly deteriorated alongside his physical abilities, meaning that he's unable to do as much as he used to.

I always remember Grandad going down the street in his mobility scooter to pick up fish and chips and that he would stand at the sink doing the washing up. Little things but things that made him feel helpful.

Now Grandad is unable to go to the local chippy because he cannot remember how to use the mobility scooter, where he's going or how to get there. He's unable to stand at the sink and wash up.

It breaks my heart a little when he offers to do these things, unware that he would have difficulties. So, one weekend when I was staying with him, while my parents were away, taking some time for themselves, I accepted his kind offer to help me do the dishes. Instead of focusing on the things he couldn't do, I thought about which parts of doing the dishes he could. I brought him into the kitchen in his wheelchair and set him up with his table and a tea towel. I washed and he dried, probably whilst listening to one of his many 60's compilation CD's. I will always remember what he said when I put some wet cutlery down for him to dry. He picked up a piece at a time, wiped it with the towel and placed to the side and said 'see I'm not useless'.





That moment sticks with me
How did it make me feel?
How does he feel?