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Family memberBorn in Birmingham in 1968.
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Overview:
Mushtaq was in business until he gave up work, aged thirty, to look after his parents full-time. Both parents had Type 2 diabetes and they had managed well, until his mother developed Alzheimers and his father manic depression. He finds that mental illnesses and diabetes affect each other greatly, but he has difficulty in persuading specialists in these fields to consult each other. He earns far less than he did in business and does it for love, but wishes that the government could pay a little more, in recognition of how much money is saved by family members` full-time care.
There is also an interview with Mushtaq`s sister, Shanaz.
Please note that Overview relates to date of recording Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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1 When Mushtaq was a child, his parents were secretive about their diabetes, partly to spare him and partly out of embarrassment. He believes that people in the Asian community should be more open about illnesses, in order to help each other. [ 65 secs ] |  | 2 When Mushtaq’s father had to be admitted to hospital for manic depression, Mushtaq felt it was particularly important for the diabetes specialists and the mental health specialists to discuss his treatment together. [ 64 secs ] | |
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| 01 Born 1968, Balsall Heath. Aged 18, started corner shop, then various business ventures before giving up to look after parents, aged 30. Parents had Type 2 all my life - couldn’t eat sweets, though Mum sometimes did. I didn’t understand. | |
| 02 Parents kept diabetes secret. Asians private re illness.
In teens, parents on tablets – looked after themselves. In 20s, my marriage broke up & I became more involved with parents. Mum developed Alzheimers, father manic depression. I decided to become full-time carer. | |
| | 03 Mum confused – fasting, hadn’t taken medication, Alzheimers. Sometimes medicating herself incorrectly. I realised she needed my care. She was also disabled. I gave her fun outings & ensured she had exercise. | |
| | 04 She walked & knitted. I took her to see what she’d missed all her life. Learnt re Alzheimers – how to keep her calm – stress affects sugar levels. She moved into warden-controlled flat. I still looked after her. District nurse gave insulin. Sweets under pillow. | |
| | 05 Cared for Dad at home. Manic-depression interacted with diabetes – in hospital for months, then all right for years. Now in hospital again. I’ve done all I can. May have ECT. Communication failure between doctors. | |
| | 06 Mental health & diabetes doctors didn’t communicate. I insisted. Mental health now have diabetes doctor’s mobile number. Dad controls sugar when mentally well. Mum & Dad mutually supportive before mental problems. Must research reasons for unusual behaviour. | |
| 07 M y permission inadequate for extraction of Mum’s tooth. Mum agreed for my sake. Diabetologists uninterested in mental health & vice-versa, yet they affect each other. Professionals don’t accept my authorisation.
Carers work for love - money less than my business earnings. Have lost allowance now Dad in hospital, but his needs leave no time for job-hunting. | |
| | 08 Carers should have national insurance paid. We save government £400 a week. Care assessment backlog – I’d like someone to sit with father so I can go out. Life on hold. | |
| 09 People, Asian community, should be more open re troubles.
I give father sweet liquid when hypo. Learnt re diabetes from DVD, experience & diabetes specialist sister – she said don’t cut toe-nails. (Shanaz.56) Proud of what I’ve achieved. | |
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