Fearless Caregiver Profile: DONNA STEIGLEDER

How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?

My husband who has MS fell and could not get up. He laid helplessly on the floor three hours till I could return from a conference to help him. After that, he was afraid to be alone. His form of MS is progressive and now he is immobile and totally dependent.

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

Yes, we were both very independent. Our caregiving relationship has taught us cooperation

and an interdependency where we both need each other more. Communication is better; we share more. I can honestly say we have become one with each other where before.

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

The hardest part is giving up my own life and taking on his. I feel I have no life and only live his now because so little of mine can exist in the time left over. The most rewarding thing is knowing that I'm able to keep him safe and healthier than he was before.

What advice would you give to other caregivers?

Don't look down the road further than today. Focus only on what needs to be done today other than to consider tomorrow for planning purposes. Get done what needs to be done today. Learn what you can. Gain new skills. If you make mistakes, fine, learn from them.

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

To be thankful for each day without a crisis.

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

My husband had been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. When his chest xrays were beginning the clear, the resident announced they were planning to discharge him that day. When the resident told me the decision, I told him that I could not accept that.

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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.