I am thankful for the nonprofits that have offered me and many others who care for their loved ones numerous free resources on much needed opportunities for respite. Among these wonderful opportunities are retreats for caregivers of veterans or service members. I’ve had the privilege of attending a few of these and have found them to be deeply rejuvenating, inspiring, and restorative when I…
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.
Goodson Consultants, LLC © 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Precious Goodson, EdD and A Military Caregiver's Journey blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
At the close of 2016, I would like to provide an amazing resource that can be beneficial to military caregivers in 2017. Give An Hour is an organization that offers free counseling to those affected by war. Give An Hour provides easy access to skilled professionals for veterans, service members, and their families. New Year Resolution Military Caregivers — in 2017 let us commit to reach out…
To all of those caring for loved ones this season: I hope that this season is a time of fun, relief, and respite for you! HAVE A VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS! The season of giving is here. It is an exciting time of year! As a caregiver, I should probably share in the excitement that this season brings … but what I really feel is…
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…
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…