Fearless Caregiver Profile: MARY TUTTEROW

How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?

Our daughter was born 25 years ago with an intractable seizure disorder. She is mentally and physically challenged. Our lives have been full of doctor visits, hospital stays, therapies, surgeries, and great challenges.

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

She was the child and we were to be her teachers. However, it is clear that she is the teacher! Her innocence, dependence and vulnerability have taught us so much about what is truly important and the richness of unconditional love.

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

It is so hard to watch the disabled and elderly in our communities be so ignored and mistreated when I know how essential they are. Caring for them teaches us how to love and how to know what is truly important and worthwhile.

What advice would you give to other caregivers?

There is a lot of talk about "self-care" but the most important self-care you can do is the personal/emotional work to have a good attitude and realize the beauty and value of serving another.

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

Wholehearted caring can transform people and communities for the better.

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

We have prayed for a healing miracle for our daughter daily for 25 years and this year, she received her miracle! 

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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.