Reposting, why, because I can.
More importantly, because the public needs to know the caregiver strife.

This morning as I sat here enjoying my coffee I’m reflecting on Caregivers. The reason, something shared yesterday.

The heartbreaking reality caregivers face, all of them, however with ALS it’s compounded by the sheer total care required eventually. Regardless of your background as an ALS caregiver you will be challenged.

The first challenge, the knowledge of your loved ones condition. This is followed by a slew of others, such as knowing what questions to ask, when to ask them and to whom. There is so much information to digest, what do you choose to consume and when?

What really caught my ear and heart yesterday was one aspect that becomes second nature to all caregivers, becoming self taught… (Fill In The Blank).

You name it, as daunting as it is to care for an advanced stage ALS patient, a family caregiver WILL be required to garner a modicum of medical equipment and care skills in order to help their loved ones continue to live.

A short list of what a caregiver becomes:

Nurse, medical assistant
EMT
Counselor
Lay Minister
Respiratory Therapist
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Nutritionist/dietitian
Holistic practitioner
Geneticist
Researcher
Analyst/statistician
Pharmacist
Taxi driver
Logistician
Advocate
Mom, dad, parent, sibling, friend
Medical equipment trouble shooter

I’m sure I missed some, but you get it.
The burden on a caregivers shoulders, the weight of it is not visible to us, butt they feel every bit of it. Often they just cary on never asking for a hand. Most often to their own detriment.

Reach out to a caregiver today, they may not realize they need YOU!

TJ&O
(Juan Reyes)