As a military caregiver for my husband for over 6 years, I have gotten to know many other military caregivers through my advocacy work as a Caregiver Dole Fellow, my contributions to the online community team of Military Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) on behalf of military caregivers, and other activities related to caregiving across the US. I have come to deeply value these caregivers as colleagues…
War Changes Lives: A Military Caregiver's Journey
My Wordpress Blog
This is my personal blog where I will share my experiences as a caregiver, the experiences that my husband and I have shared as a couple since he returned from war with serious injuries, and the experiences that we have had with agencies as we’ve negotiated care for his personal and other needs.
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May 8–May 9, 2016 I experienced moments that will stay with me throughout my entire lifetime. Honored as part of the Presidential Delegation at the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, I had a chance to attend the Opening Ceremony as well as some of the Games! The 2016 Presidential Delegation consisted of me, along with four others who have made significant contributions to the…
Girlfriend Days with Non-Military Girlfriends…Exercise, Exercise, Exercise…Water Aerobics… In an earlier post, Self Care Plan-Part 2, I give more suggestions for self care. Thank you! I have heard from you and taken note of the great ways you practice self-care! I appreciate your comments on Facebook and to my blog:) In addition to your great ideas, a few additional resources are provided below … Take frequent…
My most recent blog, about why I’m creating a self-care plan (part 1), explains research behind why all caregivers need a similar plan for themselves, as outlined in “Military Caregivers: America’s Hidden Heroes.” In developing my own self-care plan to relieve stress and anxiety, and in exploring way to do this in my demanding life, I’ve come up with the list below. Following are a few…
So, caregivers, we all recognize how important it is to take care of self! Who hasn’t read articles about this? Who hasn’t talked to their doctors about how important this is? What about the gazillion times you’ve had to listen to advice from friends and family and others about what you should be doing to stay healthy? How many times have you found yourself uttering…
Recreational therapy (RT) or Therapeutic Recreation, according to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), is a treatment service designed to restore and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, and to promote health and wellness in an individual who has been diagnosed with an illness or disabling condition. Living Well Recreational Therapy explains improved quality of life determined by individuals who…
Are you caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with PTSD and/or TBI? There are many programs that can help your loved ones learn to live with PTSD and that offer you coping skills and relational techniques to help you and your loved one live with the injuries of war. These programs fall into a number of categories, all of which might…
As a full-time caregiver to my husband, I have learned how important it is for me to make time to de-stress. I’ve certainly discovered that, if I’m not at my best, I can’t give my best to him. LET US KNOW HOW YOU DE-STRESS! My invitation to you, as readers of this blog, is to share ways that you de-stress best! I plan to post…
Last week, I received an email from the White House —yes, the place where the President of these United States resides — from a White House staff member requesting a meeting—with me!! We discussed my being a part of the presidential delegation for the upcoming Invictus Games on May 8-12, 2016. A presidential delegation is appointed by the White House when the President is invited…
What seems like an eternity ago—2010—my husband was injured in Afghanistan. Life as we had known it changed in an instant… Overnight, my daily activities as a wife, graduate student, and teacher changed. I was suddenly thrust into the role of full-time caregiver for my husband. A wife and caregiver at the same time—whew! I was unprepared. I was confused, scared, overwhelmed. The road ahead…