My Tribute to Your Caregiver

"My caregiver loves me!"   

S/he will "ALWAYS" be there for me.

Nope!!  Don't take this for granted.

In  August of 1995 I got married.   In November 1995 I was diagnosed with PD, & in February 1998 I was asked to leave my home.   Reason given :   “My wife could no longer deal with my PD”.  I didn't understand, then.

If you are amongst the lucky, that has somebody within your life-circle that loves you enough to take on the responsibility of being your caregiver, make sure you appreciate them enough, because they have a very demanding job.   I know, because I am one!

In April of this year (2002) I received an email that has given me a new hat to wear.  Of my own choosing, I have become a caregiver.  I am learning, first hand, just how demanding it is to care for someone who is in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s.  Worthwhile,   but demanding.

Be kind to your caregiver !!        

A good one is worth his/her weight in gold.

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After 21 months of trying to be a helpmate/caregiver I have learned one thing.  That one thing is that I MUST take care of myself first!  I didn't, & it shows.  My tremor had returned, & my Parkinson's was showing.  I was really surprised to see how quickly my tremor went away.  After getting out of a very stressful situation, it took just 4 days of relaxation & exercise for the tremor to go away.  Now I am working, again, to regain my strength.  

                                                                                   Parky