MS Caregivers

A Year-Round Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving is about acknowledging all that we have.  Family, friends, health, faith, happiness...you won't find any of these things on sale at any store on Black Friday.  But without them, life is less than it could otherwise be.

Very often, caregivers are the ones who bear witness to loss.  And sometimes in the face of loss, we forget all that we still have.  Today, I hope that everyone can take a moment to reflect upon all that each of us can be grateful for.  And if you find that expressing gratitude for all of the good things in your life somehow lifts your spirits, you may want to try and make every day Thanksgiving.

Tonight -- Join Our Telephone Support Group

Please join me tonight at 5:30PM PST for our weekly MS Caregiver Telephone Support Group.  We've created this phone-in group as a response to the many caregivers who find it difficult to leave the house.  Here's your opportunity to start gaining the benefits of being a part of a support group by just picking up the phone!

Please call Mary Ann Holm at the Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society at 310-479-4456 for the call-in number and other details.

Family

Today Jeanne took her first trip in over 2 years that was not in an ambulance.  She had an appointment with a urologist, and the folks at Hillcrest took care of all the details -- making the appointment, arranging for transportation, providing a wheelchair that accomodated Jeanne's contracted legs and pulling her pertinent medical records together for the doctor to review.

I arrived at Hillcrest to accompany Jeanne to her appointment and Kia, Jeanne's nurse arrived a few minutes later.  Today was Kia's day off.  Kia has her own life.  She has two incredible boys who deserve her time and attention.  But she had made sure that Jeanne's appointment was set up on her day off so that she could accompany us -- making the logistics of the trip safe, familiar and comfortable to Jeanne.  It wasn't until we were hours into the day that I discovered that Kia was not being paid for being with us.

I've written here before that Kia is like a member of our family.  Today I realized that she's much more than that.  The truth is that neither my family nor Jeanne's has been particularly supportive as she's bravely battled MS.  Consequently, we've been estranged from both sides of our family for several years.  That's left me to create a family made up of those people who could be counted on to be there for us -- no matter what.  And that's who Kia Campbell is.  She's part of my family of choice. 

We've all heard the old saying that, "...you can't pick your family."  Well, I've done exactly that.  And tonight as I look back on the events of the day, I'm truly thankful to have picked Kia to be a part of our family.  And I'm equally thankful that she's apparently picked us, too.

P.S. -- Jeanne managed today's trip so well that I've promised her that our next outing will be completely non-medical -- and might even be fun!

National Family Caregivers Month -- FREE Phone Support Group!

November is National Family Caregivers Month and that means that it's time to acknowledge the selfless heroism that every caregiver displays in caring for their loved one.  So...beginning this Monday, November 9th, the Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society is sponsoring a weekly Caregiver Telephone Support Group! 

It's sometimes difficult and even impossible for caregivers to get out of the house.  That's why I'm thrilled that this support group will be meeting by phone!  I will be on every call with the group, and look forward to having as many of you as possible participate.

Here are the specifics:

• The group meets weekly, every Monday from 5:30PM to 7:00PM.
• For the call-in number and other details, please contact Mary Ann Holm by email or call 310-479-4456

Talking with others can frequently alleviate some of the stress and isolation that caregivers sometimes feel.  Join us Monday evenings by phone and connect with others with similar experiences, share resources and receive information that can help support you spport your loved one.  We begin this Monday, November 9th.  I hope you'll join us.