Hi Guys,
My partner (23 years old) has High functioning autism, I’m his full time Carer in the sense I cook, clean, remind him of appointments, support him in everyday decision making etc. During the lockdown we’ve had at least 3 encounters in supermarkets with the staff either saying we can’t go in together or have to stay 2 metres apart even though we live together.
I can’t leave him in the car in case he has a meltdown or needs me, and he can’t go into the shops by himself without having someone there I.e. me, to hold his hand, comfort and reassure him and help him shop with me so he’s being independent and integrated into regular society.
The issue I’ve had is I’ve been asked multiple times to provide proof of being his Carer so we’re allowed to go into shops together during lockdown, however there isn’t a national identification scheme for unpaid Carers. I don’t get Carers allowance currently as it’s still in the application phase so I’m unsure what to do.
When we get asked before we go into shops for one of us to stay in the car and then can’t provide ID, they’ve told us to stay two metres apart in the shops which completely goes against the support my partner needs and the routine we’re in with shopping.
A few weeks ago we were in a *frozen food* store and one of the colleagues was really confrontational towards my partner and I about us being together which caused my partner to have a meltdown in the shop and needed more support, all because I couldn’t provide ID that I was his Carer.
I’m really stuck with what to do?
Does anyone know where I can get an ID card that will be accepted?
Has anyone else been in a similar situation during COVID?
Thank you guys!
