script writer caregiving

As a spouse caregiver of a quarter century, I find myself jumping up out of my chair sometimes over the fictional portrayal that romanticizes the choice of caregiving.

There is nothing romantic about spousal caregiving. Nor should anyone be demonized for not wanting the challenge.

But what do I know; I’m not making the big bucks writing what millions ‘want to’ see and believe. I just try to live it. 

A blog I enjoy, Kaleidoscope Muff, wrote recently that watching the closing minutes of Rizzoli and Isles ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’ episode on Turner Network Television (TNT) last week she was “reminded how I feel sometimes. I see that look of pity on someone’s face, and I want to smack them”.

Curiously I had seen the same closing scene and saw it totally differently (good writers craft scenes to play to all audiences) I saw a lack of willingness on the part of the injured veteran to trust Rizzoli to care and support. Rather than pity I saw Rizzoli (as possible caregiver spouse) hurt by the lack of trust by her friend and lover.

Then in yet another blog I enjoy, A Bench With A View, I found a book review of 'Travelers Rest' by Ann Tatlock another story involving a character returning injured from war and another character “determined to honor her commitment”.

I just pray the real women and men returning from war with injuries and their families and friends are not being trivialized and stereotyped by what readers or viewers ‘want to see’.   

Here in the real world …

With Friday afternoon temperatures of 99°F (37.7°FC) and a heat index 109.9°F (43.3°C) or beyond ‘MS unfriendly’ levels sometimes escaping into fiction plus real air conditioning actually can be the best of possible worlds.

Decades ago before Multiple Sclerosis Patti enjoyed watching the original Dallas on Friday evenings. ‘Dallas 2012’ airs nowadays after her MS bedtime but through Verizon FIOS TV ‘on demand’ we can control time.

JR Ewing (still portrayed by Larry Hagman) using his long term care facility room to plot revenge for control of Southfork  … priceless!!! 

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer 

videos: www.youtube.com/daddyleer