Fearless Caregiver Profile: Julie Adams

How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?

I am the daughter to a mother who had primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. After I helped my father care for her for 25 years, I then became his caregiver when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. My caregiving began at age 16 and ended at age 43.

Has your relationship changed with the loved one that you are caring for? If so how?

In some ways my caregiving brought me even closer with my parents. In other ways, due to the way my mother and father reacted to their own illnesses as well as the illness of one another, it honestly negatively affected me.

What is the hardest thing about being a caregiver and the most rewarding thing?

The hardest thing about caregiving was the sadness of witnessing my parents' struggles and deteriorations. The most rewarding was being there for them and doing my best to keep them happy and comforted.

What advice would you give to other caregivers?

I feel like I learned so much but the best advice I could provide would be to make sure to care for yourself while caring for your loved ones. Protect your health. You need to and deserve to have the strength to return to a life of your own again.

In ten words or less, what has caregiving taught you?

Gratitude for the blessing of my own health!

Describe a situation where being a Fearless Caregiver helped you succeed?

Sometimes I felt as if advocating for my parents was easier than speaking up on behalf of myself. Caregiving gave me confidence to protect my loved ones and myself, which then gave me the hope and belief I could also empower others to care for themselves.

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Fearless Caregiver Profile: Join us as we celebrate Fearless Caregivers sharing personal stories as we care for our loved ones. Read this week’s Fearless Caregiver Profile and feel free to add your profile as well, so we can learn from and share with our fellow caregivers.