Travis & I started dating when we were living on the island of St. Maarten in September 2003. Less than a month later, we took a catamaran ride for my birthday with friends. Only a select few knew we were dating, as we had been friends for years so being in a relationship was brand new. Captain Dave let me steer the boat and as we hit a wave, I fell and hit my head. Head wounds are notoriously bad for bleeding, it wasn't pretty. Travis stayed by my side to make sure I was okay, which outed our relationship as more than friends!
We never could have imagined that 10 years later, I would be diagnosed with ALS and what the weight of the words we said to each other at our wedding "in sickness and in health", would actually mean.
November is National Caregiver's Month, and more importantly, Travis' birthday!
I think that people try to imagine what it must be like for him, grieving for a wife with a terminal illness, working full-time as a chef in one the most stressful industries as a profession, and coming home and dealing with everything, shopping, errands, home maintenance, caring for me, etc. But of course no one can really imagine the stress and weight of it all without living through it themselves.
Being diagnosed with ALS is the worst fate I could imagine for myself. I wouldn't change a thing if it meant having Travis in my life.
Not once has he made me feel like a burden (which everyone living with ALS fears). Every day he makes me feel loved, he makes me laugh, he gives me hope and he takes everything in stride.
Travis Timothy Skinner is my soulmate and I am so grateful for him it makes my heart burst.
We never could have imagined that 10 years later, I would be diagnosed with ALS and what the weight of the words we said to each other at our wedding "in sickness and in health", would actually mean.
November is National Caregiver's Month, and more importantly, Travis' birthday!
I think that people try to imagine what it must be like for him, grieving for a wife with a terminal illness, working full-time as a chef in one the most stressful industries as a profession, and coming home and dealing with everything, shopping, errands, home maintenance, caring for me, etc. But of course no one can really imagine the stress and weight of it all without living through it themselves.
Being diagnosed with ALS is the worst fate I could imagine for myself. I wouldn't change a thing if it meant having Travis in my life.
Not once has he made me feel like a burden (which everyone living with ALS fears). Every day he makes me feel loved, he makes me laugh, he gives me hope and he takes everything in stride.
Travis Timothy Skinner is my soulmate and I am so grateful for him it makes my heart burst.
Show Appreciation to a Caregiver During National Family Caregivers Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Join The ALS Association in honoring caregivers throughout the month.
“Being a caregiver of someone with ALS is incredibly challenging, and my role hasn’t even begun to be that physical yet,” said Jen LeVasseur. Her husband, Noel, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017, just over a year after they were married.
According to a 2018 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving, primary caregivers are often family members or partners who spend up to 11 hours a day with the patient. Caregivers reported high levels of financial strain and emotionally stress. A 1999 study showed that people who experience caregiver strain have higher mortality rates.
“A lot of people will say, ‘How do you do it? How are you doing today?’ And I know they mean well, and then when they say, ‘I wouldn’t be able to do it if I were you,’ and I look at them and I say, ‘Yes, you would be able to do it if you were in my role,’ because you have to. What are your choices? You have to take care of that person. You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you didn’t. And you just take one day at a time,” LeVasseur said.
Because caregivers are crucial to the lives of those living with ALS, it is essential to prevent ALS caregiver burnout. The ALS Association recommends that family and friends of caregivers make a periodic effort to provide respite care for caregivers. Respite care is simply a period of rest or time away for an activity that will bring pleasure to a caregiver. Respite care is also a way to show say “thank-you” for the exhaustive work that they do.
Eighty-four percent of caregivers help their care recipient with medical or nursing tasks. Simply giving the primary caregiver a break from his or her responsibilities by taking a day to help with these tasks can take a load off of a caregiver. Preparing a meal, getting groceries or helping with car maintenance like an oil change can also be very helpful to a tired caregiver. Chores or errands that seem insignificant to others can become a burden to caregivers who provide around-the-clock assistance to a loved one with ALS.
Respite care activities can also be a leisure activity such as a trip to the movie theater or dinner at a favorite restaurant; even a community event like a museum exhibit or festival can provide a welcome change – anything that they would enjoy or gives them a reason to smile.
Simply letting caregivers know that you are thinking of them, and that you appreciate them can make a world of difference. Caregivers can feel taken for granted at times, and a sincere gesture of appreciation no matter how large or small makes a difference. A simple phone call or greeting card of appreciation or thanks.
Throughout the month, The ALS Association will be sharing the stories of some of the caregivers in our community. In the meantime, find a caregiver in your community. Thank them. And ask them how you can help.
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Join The ALS Association in honoring caregivers throughout the month.
“Being a caregiver of someone with ALS is incredibly challenging, and my role hasn’t even begun to be that physical yet,” said Jen LeVasseur. Her husband, Noel, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017, just over a year after they were married.
According to a 2018 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving, primary caregivers are often family members or partners who spend up to 11 hours a day with the patient. Caregivers reported high levels of financial strain and emotionally stress. A 1999 study showed that people who experience caregiver strain have higher mortality rates.
“A lot of people will say, ‘How do you do it? How are you doing today?’ And I know they mean well, and then when they say, ‘I wouldn’t be able to do it if I were you,’ and I look at them and I say, ‘Yes, you would be able to do it if you were in my role,’ because you have to. What are your choices? You have to take care of that person. You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you didn’t. And you just take one day at a time,” LeVasseur said.
Because caregivers are crucial to the lives of those living with ALS, it is essential to prevent ALS caregiver burnout. The ALS Association recommends that family and friends of caregivers make a periodic effort to provide respite care for caregivers. Respite care is simply a period of rest or time away for an activity that will bring pleasure to a caregiver. Respite care is also a way to show say “thank-you” for the exhaustive work that they do.
Eighty-four percent of caregivers help their care recipient with medical or nursing tasks. Simply giving the primary caregiver a break from his or her responsibilities by taking a day to help with these tasks can take a load off of a caregiver. Preparing a meal, getting groceries or helping with car maintenance like an oil change can also be very helpful to a tired caregiver. Chores or errands that seem insignificant to others can become a burden to caregivers who provide around-the-clock assistance to a loved one with ALS.
Respite care activities can also be a leisure activity such as a trip to the movie theater or dinner at a favorite restaurant; even a community event like a museum exhibit or festival can provide a welcome change – anything that they would enjoy or gives them a reason to smile.
Simply letting caregivers know that you are thinking of them, and that you appreciate them can make a world of difference. Caregivers can feel taken for granted at times, and a sincere gesture of appreciation no matter how large or small makes a difference. A simple phone call or greeting card of appreciation or thanks.
Throughout the month, The ALS Association will be sharing the stories of some of the caregivers in our community. In the meantime, find a caregiver in your community. Thank them. And ask them how you can help.
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