Caregiving

My Caregivers Whom are my only Family Members

Brian32746-2606 — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:20:46 GMT

I am a truly blessed man by God,because I have received great care. I moved out of my home on December 3 of 2009 and started my new life on my own with 24 hour round the clock care. First and foremost I must thank my friend Tangela Wimberly and my caregivers especially LaTrenda and Angela for the great care they constantly give me year after year and also show them the appreciation they deserve,because I am forever indebted to them for all that they have done for me especially for being there for me when I needed them emotionally when my family deserted me. Second of all I should mention Tangela Wimberley, because she has been with me through thick and thin. Tangela has done so much for me that I am forever grateful to her,because she not only took care of me physically,she pays my bills,pays all my caregivers,makes the work schedule for my caregivers,and does all my shopping whether it be for groceries,medical supplies,etc.. Tangela also makes and keeps track of all my appointments no matter what the appointments are for. I think of her as my sister,because she is closer to me and means more to me than my own blood family. Jesus Christ is my rock first and foremost,but here on earth Tangela is my boulder. Tangela had such a strong backbone no matter what my family did she did not let my family run her off. I've heard the expressions having thick skin and letting the problem roll off your back,but Tangela's skin must be so thick that nothing can get her to make her stop caring for someone even though she has gone through hell. I love her dearly and always will do what I can to make sure that she knows how much she is appreciated and also to make sure that her and her family are always taken care of. I hired Angela Rector about two years ago also and she has been with me since then and always gives me great care. Even though from time to time me and Angela would have differences we would always talk them through and would remain close friends. Angela and I have a lot in common,because I have a complete body suit of tattoos,she has a large collection of tattoos on her body and even though she is wild now I also was wild before my injury. She has introduced me to her family and we instantly became close like I was adopted into her family. Angela has become like a sister to me and I love her dearly. It seemed like I was going through caregivers like water, because they were only there for the money and not there for caring for me. For instance one was really rough when she was handling me and said she was going to turn me however she wanted,because I couldn't hit her and all I could do was get red in the face or yell. Then I had another one who said she would put a pillow over my face,to suffocate me,then call the police and tell them thats how she found me,because she was tired of me waking her up during her night shift so I could get my mouth suctioned. I told them if they took care of me that I would take care of them. Then I hired LaTrenda Paul and she's been with me for about eight months plus has given me great care. I don't know what it was,but LaTrenda instantly touched my heart and I decided to do what I needed to do that was in my power to help improve her quality of life. I also added her as one of my new family members,because she was so easy going,compassionate and had a big heart . My prayers for her,her children and her mother are that they never have a need for anything go unmet,that they have longevity added to their lives by God,that they prosper financially and they all find a place in their hearts where their hearts are only filled with peace,serenity,joy and happiness. Also I thank GOD that Tangela met LaTrenda in a doctors office and later found out she knew her sister so I could find somebody that would take great care of me. I believe in life that everything happens for a reason and on the day that Tangela and LaTrenda met God had planned them to meet before any of us were born,because it was in Gods perfect plan for my life that with Tangela,LaTrenda,God and myself would create a four strand rope that never could be broken. I also hired a young woman named Valerie who has turned out to be a big help so far,because she does anything that I ask her to do without any problems. She has been going through some tough times just like I have,so I understand what she's going through and we often pray together for each other. My prayers for Valerie are that she old not have to go through the stress her mother causes her,that every dream she has will come true,that she financially prospers so her and her children are well taken care of and that God would wrap his loving arms around her so she would know she's not alone. I know now that I am truly blessed, because I have a team of caregivers that are caring,compassionate,loving and also are the best caregivers that anyone could hope to have. My caregivers are not only people who just take care of me,but are thought of as family members. I am in the process of enrolling at Oral Roberts University to become a pastor which I hope God blesses me for giving my life to him totally,I also am in the process with my roommate Cliff who has helped create a patent with me so we can hopefully make enough money to take care of ourselves plus those we care about and I also am in the process of taking my brother to civil court to recover the money that he owes me for the loan I gave him to purchase his home. I hope that God gives me longevity in my life,so that I am able to accomplish all these goals not only to care for myself financially, but also to help take care of my caregivers who are my family members and their children. My goal is that I live many more years,so that I can sell the patent that we created,be financially set up,set up my caregivers/family members financially and have a will set up for when God carries me home that will have my caregivers/family members taken care of once I'm gone which will meet all their financial needs. The reason why I want to be set up financially when it's time for God to carry me home is,because I want my caregivers/family members to see how much I appreciated all they had done for me every month when they received their check from me in the mail. I always will do what I can do to help make their lives better. I pray that every person who has suffered a spinal cord injury is fortunate like I am to be taken care of properly while also being thought of as a person not just a paycheck. God brings people into our lives for seasons some of the seasons are longer than others, but I hope God keeps Tangela,Angela, LaTrenda,and Valerie in my life until I go to heaven,because if any of them were out of my life I would miss them dearly.

everyone has a story..and you can watch ours...

Kristen — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:09:51 GMT

Hi Everyone, my husband is a c5/c6 quadriplegic who broke his neck in a swimming pool accident on our wedding night in 2008. We received help dealing with this immediate change and it was filmed for the world to see. Tune in for the series premiere of Breakthrough with Tony Robbins on Monday, March 26th at 10/9c, on OWN. This first episode will feature us and each following week, another family with another struggle will be featured. This is the link to the trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KxXODQCzMQ&feature=youtu.be

Thank you for your time. Kristen

I NEED A VACATION & THERAPY BUT I'M STONE COLD BROKE

MARY & RON — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 01:00:24 GMT

I live in Arizona. After 3 years of unpaid caregiving for my C-2 quad husband, working 80-100 hr weeks, I am at the end of my rope and need to go AWAY by MYSELF for at least a week. I am clearly past Burnout Stage, clinically depressed and could seriously use some good psychotherapy as well. But guess what? Since Ron's accident we ran out of money! (Sound familiar?) I have respite hours from Medicaid but can't afford to go anywhere (except my mom's, and that is NOT a vacation). Also, no insurance to pay for a therapist. Just want to go commune with nature somewhere else for a while, and find a cheap or free therapist familiar with caregiver burnout to help me out of the hole. Any ideas?

Veterans Couples Workshop---Virginia. MISSION: Healthy Relationships - Couples Workshop May 4-6

PRC_Bernadette — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:29:09 GMT

We received this information on from The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program – Northern Region is hosting a MISSION: Healthy Relationships.

MISSION: Healthy Relationships - Couples Workshop May 4-6

Hello all,
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program – Northern Region is hosting a MISSION: Healthy Relationships workshop in Dumfries, VA on May 4-6. MISSION: Healthy Relationships is a skills building workshop designed for U.S. military veteran couples who are in committed relationships but who are having relational difficulties due to the impact of deployment, military service, post-traumatic stress, operational stress and traumatic brain injury (TBI). This weekend workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn Quantico (in Dumfries, VA) on May 4-6. We can accommodate up to 10 couples. It is imperative that persons who wish to participate contact me directly. See the attached flier for more detailed information on the workshop.
Please note: This workshop is for those not on active duty (veterans, retirees, and members of the National Guard and Reserves).
I appreciate any efforts to help get the word out about this couples workshop!
Thank you,
Mark
Mark Taylor, MSW, CSAC
Coordinator, Northern Region
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
(571) 258-3900

Best pants for cathing?

Natalie — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:11:09 GMT

What are the best pants for ease of doing intermitant (male) cathing from a wheel chair?

Any other parents out there of kids with SCI. My child is 9

Natalie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:26:02 GMT

Please hit me up- we live in a small community and want to talk to others :)

When is it ok to walk away.

Beverly — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:33:25 GMT

I am the wife and only caregiver to my husband who suffered a T4/T5 injury 6 years ago. We have gone through ups and downs and here lately mostly downs. I work full time and ONLY due to the fact that we are nursing pressure sores and a recent rotator cuff surgery, do we have home healthcare coming out, once they run out, it's back to only me. I am mentally, physically and emotionally done. We argue about everything, everything! I have used all leave at work so God forbid something comes up that would require me to be at home. I have gotten to the point that I hate to come home at night. He has a sorry good for nothing son who lives about 3 hours from here who only shows his face about once a year and while he's hear he knows everything! I'm just about at the end of my rope!

Living without pain

Patrickp — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:53:04 GMT

Believe it or not ,I have found a way to take care of pain. Most of us are experiencing neurological pain . I experience it also at the beginning of my SCI. One day a friend of mine came with a device called yed CemTech. This is a Russian device using high frequency through crystals. You can view such a device here : http://www.kalinka-store.com/catalog/16 This friend tried this device on me , I had at that time a burning pain above my right knee. The pain disappear in 10 mn ( 2x 5 mn treatment) It has not reappeared since then. Of course I had other pain at different place in my case it was mostly on my right leg. Now I use only a five minute treatment and it works very well. It is not very easy for me to do it myself, so my wife, a former nurse does it. The idea of thie device is to put the heads of the Cemtech on acupuncture points. As I am not an acupuncturist myself I have bough from amazon an Acupuncture atlas and some acupoint detectors for finding the correct points. I thought of acupuncture meridian as wires were entry points are the acupuncture points. You should found a meridian which goes through the pain area, and you put the two Cemtech connectors on each side of the pain. By the way you could chose points that are helpful for you. Usually when the points are well chosen, the pain disappear , in some cases it could take a little longer to disappear fully, but the five minute treatment is enough. Of course it cost me some money but I believe it is worst the price. I am very happy with this product that I have at home, when anything occur my wife can act quickly, I have not to wait for a doctor or anything . I hope this could help you also. Patrick.

The SCI Sisterhood

Annie60093 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:39:25 GMT

Check out our new guest blog post from Well Spouse. Well Spouse is a great online support organization for the "well" spouses of people with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Also, do you think a spouse or partner should be a caregiver? Please share your thoughts here or on FacingDisability's Fourm.

Should a spouse or partner be a primary caregiver?

Annie60093 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:32:17 GMT

November is National Family Caregivers Month. What are your thoughts on becoming a family caregiver? Please share below or on FacingDisability.

dealing with pain afterward

Sharon — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:28:03 GMT

We watch people we we are caregiving for thou pain, but what we do when that person is at peace with our Father our God. I was a caregiver to David and the love of my life I watched every day hoping for the best ,but now his pain is gone so what we do, we all must know that their pain is gone and not suffing anymore,that he is in a better place,so for me I know he is with God and not hurtting like he was,ever wounder well why did this person live and the same thing someone good die from. Because thats Gods plan we as people things happen but don't understand but God in control he with us all everyday 24/7 365 days a year he is my stregth from morning noon and night we al need to know that what ever happen to us that it's for a reason we don't know why but god does. any thoughts on that

"One Door At A Time" Written by Melanie Winkler D'Andrea about her Husband's Spinal Cord Injury

PRC_Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:52:38 GMT

Melanie reaches out to caregivers like herself who were dealt a life-changing event as she relates the story of her husband's spinal cord injury and subsequent treatment and disability.

For more information visit:

http://www.onedooratatimemelaniewinklerdandrea.com

“One Door At A Time” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Kindle ebooks.

Being a caregiver from the start to the end

Sharon — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:00:23 GMT

being a caregiver people say to come become a pca to get paid for what you do ,but we as caregivers do it cause we care for the person . We need to take time for our self at the same time, to take care of our self being paid for taken care of a love one is llike to me being paid for you to raise own child ,Dave went to the Dr today and he called me and said hospice was going to be called in we all deal with life in our own way my way i s to have God and he is why thing happen thou it hard when a love one is juried in a spinal cord injury or a disease as it hit Dave all things happen for a reason we don't know why only God can. We as caregivers watch every day our love hurt but us being there is what important let them no they are loved by you and God our father we are his children.

VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Benefits

kathy — Fri, 20 May 2011 19:05:44 GMT

May 18, 2011
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Processing Hundreds of Applications for New Family Caregiver Benefits in First Week

Applications can be processed by telephone through the Caregiver Support Line at (855) 260-3274, in person at a VA medical Center with a Caregiver Support Coordinator, by mail or online at www.caregiver.va.gov with the new Caregiver Application (VA Form 1010-CG). The website application also features a chat option that provides the Family Caregiver with a live representative to assist in completing the application form.

For more information visit
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2105

Taking a Self Care Break-For Caregivers

chunkoheaven — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:27:13 GMT

I have been reading the Reeve site and discussions for quite a while. It is close to my heart, knowing and loving someone who is in a wheelchair. My heart goes out to all, especially the wonderful caregivers. If any are located in the Philadelphia, PA area, I have a small retreat house and horse farm, located in Delaware County, PA. I would love to host a small workshop for caregivers...A place where they can come away for a couple of hours, to relax, touch an animal or two, and sit and breathe the lovely spring air. I have Dual Masters in Spiritual Direction and Holistic Spirituality, and I currently host workshops and retreats. If any one is interested, I would be pleased to connect with you.