I was very excited about going on holiday for two weeks around the Caribbean with Tina, my Shared Lives carer and two friends Stacy and Hannah in March 2020.
We felt posh in the VIP lounge and had a safe flight from Manchester to Barbados. My favourite things about the holiday were swimming with turtles and having drinks at the bar. We had great fun dressing up for the black-tie formal, tropical, 60s, 70s and 80s nights.
We started to hear about the coronavirus spreading around the world. Then we weren’t allowed to visit some of the islands.
We didn’t know when we were going to be able to get home. They said we may have to sail back to Southampton.
When we drove back from the airport the roads were so quiet. We had to have two weeks in isolation. We had gone from loads of things to do and loads of friendly people to talk to...and it had all stopped. The shops were closed and people were panicking and we weren’t allowed out of the house.
I wanted to see my friends and tell them about my holiday and get back to my usual routine.
I thought to myself, 'can I go volunteer at food pantry'? No. 'What about my Duke of Edinburgh?' No. 'Drama and pottery'? No. 'Or any night clubs?' Still no.
It felt scary listening to the news about how many deaths there were. It made me realise how dangerous catching the virus is and I have to stay safe inside.
I have been doing things in the house like helping tidy the garden, cutting branches back. I have been doing Zoom calls with my friends and keeping fit every day with an exercise class.
On a Tuesday and Thursday me, Tina and Hannah do this on Zoom and help other people keep fit together. It’s really fun.
I have been looking after my rabbit and love cuddling her. The things I am most looking forward to are seeing my boyfriend and my friends and going to church.