I am blessed to be a Distributor of Encouragement. Our steps are ordered of the Lord and He directs our paths, even to the bank teller you are destined to go to.
Today I was encouraged by a lady at the Bank who has been a diabetic since birth. She was diagnosed at eighteen months. She has lost a kidney and a leg as a result of the illness.
Through the process of the transactions, she became aware that I had written a book and we discussed the title and reason for writing.
She began to thank me for being a caregiver and how much she appreciated her husband, and what he has gone through over the years. It isn't uncommon for her to pass out; have to be taken to emergency and wake up with no knowledge as to what has happened. She states, her husband goes through more pain than she does, as she has come to terms with her illness and takes one day at a time. She continued the conversation with more emphasis on the caregiver.
We ended the conversation by me saying; "Thank you for sharing your story." "O no," she replied, "thank you for being the caregiver."
I was reminded of the verse in 11Cor 1:3-4(MSG)
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
Today was different. I was the recipient.
Monday 29 June 2015
Sunday 14 June 2015
Dealing With Loss
LOSSES
Where does one begin when it comes to dealing with loss for one who suffers any king of illness. Losses with those dealing with dementia is a traumatic experience for everyone.
Regardless of how we deal with loss, to lose our independence alters out lives forever.
Loss of Employment
My husband's first great loss was his life's work. He was not functioning well enough to keep his job long before we actually knew what was happening to him. To go to the office and pack up his books for the last time marked the end of an era that came far too soon.
Loss of Self-Worth
There is nothing that can affect a person's self-worth like not being able to provide for himself or his family. Steve began to verbalize his sense of self-worthlessness. It was difficult for our family as well as our personal world lacked the knowledge of the deep inner turmoil which was stirring up a storm around us
Loss of Control
Loosing your ability to use your bank card, misdialing numbers, and knowing you are loosing these abilities. He was so aware of what he should be doing but his brain could not handle all the tasks.
Loss of Identity
While our loss of identity is very much related to our career, it affects who we really are as a person and how people relate to us. This is even more visible in one who suffers with dementia.
Loss of Musical Talent
For my husband this was his trade mark. It was part of his identity. He played in auditoriums across Canada for his church denomination. Today he very seldom can even tap his feet to music. Lewy has taken his ear for music, his reflexes and coordination and locked them away.
Loss of Social Contact
Talk to any caregiver whose loved one has been intruded on with this terrible disease and ask about their social life. Friends for some reason disappear. Even with all the education and exposure to the disease, for the most part, people do not know how to cope. If you have one couple or person who will be there for you, let you vent without judging you are blessed.
Loss of Drivers Licence
It came over time. First it was driveable and restricted licence. Then came the big blow. It was the lady at the licence registration that took his licence away. He is not one to hold a grudge but he came close on this occasion.
"We never know what we have until it is lost"
Where does one begin when it comes to dealing with loss for one who suffers any king of illness. Losses with those dealing with dementia is a traumatic experience for everyone.
Regardless of how we deal with loss, to lose our independence alters out lives forever.
Loss of Employment
My husband's first great loss was his life's work. He was not functioning well enough to keep his job long before we actually knew what was happening to him. To go to the office and pack up his books for the last time marked the end of an era that came far too soon.
Loss of Self-Worth
There is nothing that can affect a person's self-worth like not being able to provide for himself or his family. Steve began to verbalize his sense of self-worthlessness. It was difficult for our family as well as our personal world lacked the knowledge of the deep inner turmoil which was stirring up a storm around us
Loss of Control
Loosing your ability to use your bank card, misdialing numbers, and knowing you are loosing these abilities. He was so aware of what he should be doing but his brain could not handle all the tasks.
Loss of Identity
While our loss of identity is very much related to our career, it affects who we really are as a person and how people relate to us. This is even more visible in one who suffers with dementia.
Loss of Musical Talent
For my husband this was his trade mark. It was part of his identity. He played in auditoriums across Canada for his church denomination. Today he very seldom can even tap his feet to music. Lewy has taken his ear for music, his reflexes and coordination and locked them away.
Loss of Social Contact
Talk to any caregiver whose loved one has been intruded on with this terrible disease and ask about their social life. Friends for some reason disappear. Even with all the education and exposure to the disease, for the most part, people do not know how to cope. If you have one couple or person who will be there for you, let you vent without judging you are blessed.
Loss of Drivers Licence
It came over time. First it was driveable and restricted licence. Then came the big blow. It was the lady at the licence registration that took his licence away. He is not one to hold a grudge but he came close on this occasion.
"We never know what we have until it is lost"
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