Caregivers

Caregiving is not a role people usually choose. It seems to choose us, emerging from events and circumstances beyond our control. Spinal cord injury, debilitation or sudden illness may come without warning.

This is a job that cannot be skirted and cannot always be delegated. It can be difficult, physically and emotionally. It can be time-consuming. While caring for loved ones can be enormously satisfying, there are days, it seems, that offer little reward.

Caregivers, the men and women who care for family members and loved ones, deserve to be recognized and supported for the vital part they play in the lives of people with paralysis.

Caregivers may work in isolation from others in similar circumstances but they share much in common. It is important that caregivers connect with each other, to gain strength and to know that they are not alone.

It is essential that caregivers know about tools -- the homecare products and services -- that might make their jobs easier. It's also important that caregivers are aware of community and public resources that offer assistance.

Caregivers also need to know that support and respite systems exist to address the well-being and health of caregivers themselves.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Christopher
• Dana
• Reeve
• Paralysis
• Act
• SCI
• wheelchair
• paraplegic
• quadriplegic
• spinal
• cord
• injury
• caregiver

[lagirl626]

i'm 24 years old i am a mother of 2 and i am a caregiver to both my grandparents its alot of work but i am very blessed and have looked at life very differently. and i appreciate everything i have in life.

[r3ality357]

with all that is in the news about caregivers beating/killing family members or those they are taking care of, i can honestly say that i understand what they (the caregivers) go through. i'm not justifying any of their heinous actions, i'm just saying that i understand what most, if not all, go through.

[shounenbat510]

@shounenbat510 I appologize for the punctuation and grammar errors.

[shounenbat510]

Found this video again (why it showed up in my recommendations, I have no idea) after becoming my grandfather's caregiver, and only part-time at that. I can say now that disabled people really need to put themselves in nursing homes. That's what I'd do if I needed care 24/7. To do otherwise is selfish. If I had quadriplegia severe MS or something like that, I'd prove to my loved ones how much I love them by not allowing themselves to do this for me. I would never choose me over them.

[SherdebHan]

respect

[latinamega17]

@pitbohl Danke for the information, yes I like to help people too, but theres so many ways to do so :) ...anyways, if I enjoy my job, if I put my energy into something that I find valuable to do, ill be happy :) hehe, auf wiedersehen! ;]

[pitbohl]

@latinamega17 in Germany, this job is not paid very well. if you are a caregiver stage I you`ll get round about 1000 - 1100 euros. if you are (the better) stage II your loan is about 1500 - 1600 euros. both is meant for 38,5 hrs per week. some earn a bit more, some earn less.

it`s a real hard job, but i love to help people.

[shounenbat510]

Dang. If I'm ever injured in a way that I need a caregiver like that, I think I'll just die. I won't put my family through that. I think if I were to do that I'd consider myself the most selfish person on the planet. Better to die than be a burden. On the other hand, if, say, my mom were injured I'd care for her.

[thepixieful]

exactly. depression is unresolved grief. and anger at loss, yes. I find a movie in a dark movie house is an escape maybe once a year. do the best you can. every day. and I made a structured bedtime, it helped ME. and extra hour of sleep.

[40dblg]

@latinamega17 ~Usually it's barely above minimum wage, no benefits. It's truly a thankless job.

[wheelieblind]

do all these guys have family caregvrs or wat?