Home
Xahnia's Blog
On a Lighter Note
Family Caregiver HeroesAbout Us
Family caregiving has become so complex that it no longer remains just a family matter with cultural morals, as caregiving has evolved into a vital social order within the family unit. The responsibilities of Family Caregiving can become very stressful placing enormous burdens on to the caregiver resulting in physical and emotional ill health and financial and social hardships.
Caregiving can be a difficult journey requiring inner strength while caring for a loved one in need with honor and compassion, even when life becomes overwhelmingly difficult. Grief and hardship of family caregiving can last a life time, causing caregivers to feel shame for the hardships they have endured, and even find it difficult to share their stories for fear of being ridiculed or judged as a failure by others. Caregiver burnout causes caregivers to fade away, leaving caregiving issues hidden from society and remain unresolved.
Through the love that binds, I had become a Family Caregiver to my husband, Barry Bateman, who was left physically and mentally disabled, and confined to a wheelchair; a result of resuscitation from a near fatal stroke in April, 2000 when Barry was 54 years old. After an 11 year journey as a long-term Family Caregiver, my dear Barry passed away on March 29th, 2011 from kidney disease.
My journey caring for Barry has taught me that Family Caregivers are truly inspirational heroes, whose collective wisdom through their experiences of the joys and hardships of caregiving must shine brightly like a star, to guide the next generation of Family Caregivers.
It is my goal to educate “the public to the politician” on the vital need to care for the Family Caregiver. We must recognize the hardships of caregiving and provide Family Caregivers with the much needed resources to care for their loved ones and to care for themselves. It is important for society to protect Family Caregivers from the health hazards and financial hardships of caregiving. We provide financial, legal and health protection for other occupations, so why not Family Caregivers?
To help Family Caregivers, I have opened the Family Caregiver Heroes web site at www.familycaregiverheroes.com to unite Family Caregivers to share their stories and knowledge, provide resources and information on caregiving, and to gather statistical data on family caregiving concerns. The statistical data will be used to educate the public on the Family Caregiver crisis.
Please spread the word; Family Caregivers are heroes for their contributions towards family and society, and in their recognition, promote the “Wear a Broach Campaign” by proudly wearing a broach or pin of your choosing to honor and support Family Caregivers.
A big hug to all Family Caregivers,
Xahnia HyltonQuartz
