a caregiving coin has two sides hope and denial

Hope and denial are two sides of the same coin and always have been. Much of what we lived through this past quarter century is likely true for others facing long term progressive chronic disease such as Multiple Sclerosis, or a shorter term diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s.

Transition to the care facility era is less about a continuum of care and more about an inevitable cataclysmic change that precipitates transition.

Denial is seductive. Homecare or bust was essentially a knee jerk ‘macho’ response on my part.

Long term caregiving is hazardous to your health. Now facing my own diagnosis of lung cancer, thoughts of never knowing how Patti’s story ends chase concerns for my own homecare through dark dreams.

Today is the sixth annual World Autism Awareness Day and as a family home caregiver of a quarter century I find my thoughts pausing on the parents and family of all special needs children.

More than me or other spouse caregivers or family members caring for aging parents; these loving parents of special needs children face the daily mathematics of not only their own 'what if', but inevitable 'when' balanced with a smile of encouragement and love for their child to brighten any day and any tomorrow.

Please make a moment today to pause and think of these parent caregivers - they represent the best of us. 

--
Patrick Leer

Health Activist:

Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/

My Lung Cancer Odyssey @ http://lung-cancer-survivor.blogspot.com/

care facility multiple sclerosis caregiving