by Bruce McIntyre | Aug 23, 2014 | Caregiving
Sometimes in the telling of our stories, we get stuck. Stuck? Yes. Here are a few common contributors: 1. Guilt. We may have trouble forgiving ourselves. To be sure, we all make mistakes in the course of living through adversity. Even with all of the...
by Bruce McIntyre | Aug 15, 2014 | Caregiving
Orientation. Disorientation. Reorientation. This is one way that my wife and I think about our 10 year journey of caregiving and chronic illness. My wife has lived with Dermatomyositis for 10 years as of this summer, and I am very proud of her. She continually...
by Bruce McIntyre | Jun 13, 2014 | Caregiving
She confused me. Talented, smart, and decisive, she infused the air around her with energy and kindness. So, I kept recruiting her to help me. And, she continually declined. Politely. Finally, I convinced her to help lead a project. She brought creativity and...
by Bruce McIntyre | Jun 3, 2014 | Caregiving
I remember as a kindergartner an uncomfortable time when my buddy and I were being harassed by an overgrown 1st grader. With a high pitched, yet threatening tone, my friend pointed to me and warned this bigger kid, “This is my partner, Bruce, and he’s...
by Bruce McIntyre | May 30, 2014 | Caregiving
Reeling from their fresh diagnosis, John and Mary drove home in silence. That evening after dinner, Mary broke the silence. “How do we know if you really have Parkinson’s Disease? Is this the kind of thing that requires a second opinion?” “I don’t know,” John answered...
by Bruce McIntyre | Nov 16, 2013 | Caregiving
After meeting hundreds (actually probably into the thousands now) of family caregivers, I have come to several firm conclusions: Family caregivers deserve a holiday, a parade, and a free week on a private beach to rest and recuperate! Even on their worst days, 99% of...