Some things simply shouldn’t be said. When they come from people who don’t understand what you are going through, even well-intentioned comments and questions can be frustrating and hurtful.
Tag: isolation
Spring is almost here– and so is our vitality.
March 11, 2019 I haven’t written here for a couple of months, and there’s multiple reasons for that. After Donna broke her pelvic bone, I spent the first couple of weeks heading to see her and help her rehab constantly. Then once she was moved to another location, a ‘convalescence’ facility, my ability help her… Continue reading Spring is almost here– and so is our vitality.
Update, and Why this site is mostly quiet.
An update– Mom. Recovery. Dormancy. Mom had her aneurysm, the first wallop to her head that precipitated all the others issues that have happened in the years since, in 2005. That took place the day before her 65th birthday. In 2011, when friends and I took her to a fancy dinner for her 71st birthday… Continue reading Update, and Why this site is mostly quiet.
Change in Direction for Donna’s Lessons
Since early July, Donna and I have continued to live our lives together while I have maintained regular contributions to DL here. I intend to draw this down, but nowhere near to a close. Why? Because my heart is making me do it.
Summer Epilogue
Well! Mom returned from a respite away on Tuesday, a few days back. The weather was uncooperative with the possibility of getting away– I truly wanted to get into the woods, but it was not to be– yet I did manage to feel very much refreshed. Even being in my home alone will give me… Continue reading Summer Epilogue
Fleeing the Flames, chasing Donna’s Dreams
I have done more than inherit Mom’s preferences, she raised me with her habits. As a career teacher, she loved the outdoors of BC and elsewhere to a degree that getting into the woods was probably the single greatest benefit of being a teacher who had her summers off. I grew up knowing that at… Continue reading Fleeing the Flames, chasing Donna’s Dreams
Heatwaves, Hamburgers and Handydarts
When it is as hot as it is in Vancouver (well, Burnaby) Canada now, there is little chance in thinking deeply on any other subject. I have complained many times about the Handydart system in BC for elders and incapacitated people of all ages. But, I must say, the existence of this service has made… Continue reading Heatwaves, Hamburgers and Handydarts
How a pair of shoes almost cost Mom her home
[From Patreon, written July 6, 2018] Most often when I sit down to write things about life helping Mom, unless I’m venting some stress for that day, I’m writing up and accentuating the positives. But I want to tell a cautionary tale to other caregivers and, hopefully, the larger society for those who would help… Continue reading How a pair of shoes almost cost Mom her home
The Cost of Caring: 10 Ways to Prevent Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue can be a serious occupational hazard for those in any kind of helping profession, with a majority of those in the field reporting experiencing at least some degree of it in their lives. This is no surprise, as it is typically those with the most empathy who are the most at risk. Compassion… Continue reading The Cost of Caring: 10 Ways to Prevent Compassion Fatigue
Great Resource: Stories for Caregivers
Almost certainly, the greatest threat a caregiver faces is isolation. Caregiving by yourself massively increases this threat– a threat which for myself, turned into depression and general anti-social habits. I’m not new or unique to this phenomenon. The number one way to help caregivers cope is to end that isolation, see and hear them within… Continue reading Great Resource: Stories for Caregivers