As caregivers we are attuned to the needs and moods of our loved ones and spend our days showing them care and compassion. However, we rarely transfer those same skills to ourselves. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about simple ways we can start to implement self compassion when it comes to our thoughts, moods, and mistakes.
Even in the hardest of times, caregivers often shoulder the weight of it all instead of asking for support. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about what initially pushed them to reach out for help, why doing so can feel so difficult, and logistically how they made it work.
Caregiving is a lonely role. From moments of being physically alone to situations where no one understands their reality, Allison and Justin talk together about the loneliness of being a caregiver.
From the mundane details of each day to moments of medical emergencies to treatment plans to COVID safety, caregivers are constantly making decisions. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about what that looks and feels like in their daily lives and how their personalities impact their decision-making skills.
The celebration of Justin’s 40th birthday led him to reflect on where he thought he would be at this time in his life versus where he is. In this episode, he and Allison talk about how becoming caregivers changed their trajectories, how they are trying to claim the role without losing themselves in it, and how to remember and focus on who they are, not just what they do.
When you are part of a rare disease or chronic illness community, there is comfort in building relationships with others whose lives look like your own, those who understand the terminology and the reality of your daily life. However, those important friendships can lead to unhelpful comparisons or even heartache as friends are lost to the disease. Listen in as Allison and Justin describe the ups and downs they’ve experienced in friendships with fellow caregivers and with those living with chronic and serious illnesses.
As chronic illness caregivers, Justin and Allison are used to experiencing daily challenges, but in the past weeks they’ve both found themselves in unexpected medical situations beyond their norm.
Allison and Justin describe the unique challenges that arise when the person you’re caring for has an invisible illness.
Justin and Allison discuss the ways in which caregiving impacts their physical, emotional, and mental health, what burnout feels like to them, and how supporters can help.
Allison describes the recent battles she has been fighting since learning that Sean's home health supplies are not covered under Medicare. Justin shares the dehumanizing process Sarah went through when applying for disability. Both dig in to what it feels like to fight back against a broken system.