Helping Those Who Help Us
Tuesday April 1, 2008
As much as I dislike having multiple sclerosis (MS), I often think that it is even worse for the people who love me and take care of me when things get rough. This responsibility falls to my husband, and I often see the worry in his eyes when I leave the faucet running by accident or take a little longer getting up from my chair.
While I wouldn't define him as my "caregiver," he certainly has taken on more responsibility and helps me more than I would have anticipated a need for before I was diagnosed. In discussing this article, another full-text sample from CMP Medica, I broaden the definition of "caregiver" to include our loved ones who worry and offer the kinds of help that all of us with MS need, not just those of us who have mobility problems or other symptoms which limits our independence.
I have included a section at the end of the article (my Bottom Line) which contains suggestions of how we can give back to these people that keep us going.
Read the full article Helping Those Who Help Us: Supporting Caregivers of People with Multiple Sclerosis.
Comments
I can relate to your worries there as I, too, have MS and have experienced the very concerns you express. My husband quit his job to stay home to look after me. Luckily, my mobility is fine and so don’t need a huge amount of care. Yet, I, too, have forgotten things, like leaving a window open when we are heading out or forgetting to bring grocery bags for our shopping trip. I am forever terrified to do anything, lest I forget something.
Often, I will start doing something and then, when I am called to do something else, will just drop what I’m doing to handle the newer event. Then, I finish the new task but often just forget about the earlier one.
As unfair as it is for those of us who have the disease, it is equally unfair to those people who take care of us as they are forever having to pick up after us. I find I’m often losing small things. It’s like my life is slowly being taken from me but I don’t doubt it’s similar with my husband, too!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.