Oh dearI'll keep posting on this. I'm planning a break in April and my daughter has offered to come and stay as she knows Eric and is more capable than anyone else I could imagine. As I understand it currently I can apply for funding for respite care but haven't got any further than that. The people I rely on for info tell me it will be too expensive to keep Eric at home while I go away and he will only get funding if admitted to respite care-what a nonsense. So.... Christmas is coming and I've just handed in my notice at work.... but.. I'm on the case. Realise this new thing hasn't come into being yet but think it's all a bit of a mess. I was told at Eric's SS(!) assessment that we could buy in services for respite-so am still VERY I'll try to phone them before Christmas to clarify our own personal situation and will keep you posted. Maybe I'm missing something somwhere-it's all very new and strange to me and quite honestly fills me with fear and dread-another reason to give up work. I really don't know how all of you out there caring for loved ones mange to cope with work as well-this is a minefield of beaurocracy(have I spelt that right)Am getting angrier by the minute.... but we've just put our tree up and Eric and I sang "we wish you a merry christmas" as Eric put the angel on top and I switched the lights on-and he told me he loved me! So... not all bad Oh dear-I've been ranting-sorry folks x