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Listen in as Allison Breininger and Justin Bajema, millennial caregivers for their chronically ill spouses, speak honestly about what life is like when there are more days spent in sickness than in health.

About

 

Allison Breininger Allison Breininger has been caregiver to her husband, Sean, since 2011, when he was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia. High school sweethearts, the two had been married for 9 years at the time of diagnosis, and had brought their toddler, Maya, home from Haiti, just one year earlier. Allison has been by Sean’s side through a bone marrow transplant, seven different types of cancer, a hip replacement, among other things. She writes honestly and openly about the challenges and realities of being a caregiver at her site thenegativespace.life and on social media @negspacelife.
   
Justin Bajema Justin Bajema has been caring for his wife Sarah since 2013 . After the onset of a chronic migraine, her health slowly declined until she was bedridden for three years. It has been a slow climb since then, and while Sarah’s health has improved, she is still mostly homebound. In addition to the chronic migraine, she’s been diagnosed with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome),  fibromyalgia and a dysautonomic condition called POTS. Caregiving has often been an isolating experience for Justin, but connecting with other caregivers online and hearing their stories has helped him feel less alone. He hopes this podcast can help others in the same way. You can find him on Instagram @bajema.