Today is a good day for me to show appreciation to my caregivers
It's also Chocolate Chip Cookie Week, which gives me a good idea!
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How can I possibly show the deep appreciation that I have for the caregivers in my life with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)? This is a question that burdens me often when I feel weak, inadequate, and overwhelmed by their compassion.
But today is Caregiver Appreciation Day, so I thought it would be a good day to try.
I depend on almost round-the-clock care from family and many friends, on both a weekly schedule and on standby whenever they might be needed.
My caregivers do so much for me, from getting me dressed to keeping my house tidy to tucking me into bed at night. And those are just normal everyday things when my health is stable! During those times when I am down for the count with a stomach virus or bronchitis, their jobs get a lot more complicated, time-consuming, and unglamorous. It is not easy work, and it is never complete, because I will have this disability all my life.
Knowing this, I do what I can to make caregiving an easier and more pleasant experience for them. We’ve made modifications to my home and installed equipment to protect both of us when I transfer into and out of my chair. I am mindful of the clothes I wear, so they aren’t too difficult to get on and off. And I try to be intentional about saying please and thank you, and to have grace and patience with them as they do their very best to help me.
Appreciation, baked in
But there is so much more I wish I could do to show my appreciation!
If I had lots of money, I would send them all to a day spa to be pampered and treated. I would take them on a weekend getaway to a tropical island, where they could lounge in the sun or under a palm tree and sip fun little cocktail drinks with umbrellas in them. I would hire a fancy chef, rent a fancy room, and put on a magnificent feast for them to eat to their hearts’ content. Or I would host my own Academy Awards and give each of them a trophy to celebrate their unique awesomeness.
If I could use my muscles, I would show up at each of their houses and do things for them that they do for me. I would fold their laundry, vacuum their carpet, wash their dishes, mow their lawn, and cook dinner for their family. I’d even offer to wash their hair, drive them around town, or give them a foot massage!
But what can I really do to show them how much they mean to me? I could send them a thank-you note, buy them a balloon, or make them a “World’s Best Caregiver” bumper sticker, and I may just do that, but it still won’t be enough.
I’m not sure that anything ever could be, because every time I say thank you, they just do something even more incredible to care for me. I can’t seem to outdo their kindness, but maybe that is a worthy goal to strive for.
This week is also Chocolate Chip Cookie Week, which seems like an excellent way to show my appreciation, so I’ve got some baking to ask some caregivers to help me do!
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
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