Does your Life have a Theme?

Did you ever feel that your life path had a particular theme? Does it feel that your life's lessons follow this theme?  I have always felt that way.   Individuals with disabilities have unfailingly been central theme in my life.

 The week after I was born, my grandfather returned from the hospital having completely lost his sight. I believe it was due to some sort of accidental fall. What I do remember were the things he could do.  He could navigate his workshop making jigs to be able to use his tools keeping his fingers safe.  He often did small tasks around the house handling simple maintenance.  A favorite family dish was potato pancakes.  He would grate the potatoes and onions for my grandmother long before food processors were invented.  How he did not ground down his fingers was beyond me!  I discovered that a disability did not mean inability.

Very quickly, I learned to keep my toys off the floor so grandpa would not trip.  It was my special job to guide him during long walks on the boardwalk. Being a very proud man, he would never use the cane with the red tip to let others know he was visually impaired.  Arm in arm I became his eyes as we took memorable walks down the boardwalk in Atlantic City.  Caring for others became ingrained in who I was early on. 

Later in life, I gravitated towards the classes for students with special needs in the schools I attended.  By the time I entered high school I spent many lunch periods volunteering in the special education classes.

I majored in special education in college and later received my masters in rehabilitation counseling.  Much of my life was focused on helping those with disabilities learn the skills to lead a full life.  Little did I know it set the foundation for my life as a full-time caregiver in my later adult years. 

Trained and armed with degrees did not necessarily prepare me for the day-to-day challenges of being a caregiver.  It helped some, particularly in the beginning of our journey.  I was able to pull on my experience in navigating a sometimes less than friendly system.  However, all of that experience wears thin when fatigue, stress and years of fighting the good fight catch up with you. It is one thing having the knowledge and another living it day after day.  This blog is about my personal journey.  It may include stories about the ugly days as well as the ones that have brought joy.  Everyone's caregiving journey is different but there are enough similarities knitting us together.  Join me as we journey together.