November is National Family Caregivers Month. So how appropriate that we have begun to understand “The Actual Dance” is about Love and the Caregivers Journey. While the caregiving in the play is around breast cancer, the story itself is more universal. So today we have begun to describe The Actual Dance as a “Play about Love and the Caregiver’s Journey.”
The Actual Dance ultimately is a story of a family member, a husband, figuring out how to care for the love his life as the diagnosis became more and more dire. And it is the story of discovery of what love really means.
One answer is what millions of family members do every day. The commitment to be present and support and care and demonstrate that love for someone who needs it, unconditionally and with appreciation that such are is not a burden, it is a privilege. Love can be “holding a semi-circular metal pan out for her to throw-up.” And while such specific tasks can take a toll on the caregiver, the caregiver experiences those moments as essential acts of love.
It is appropriate then that the nation itself recognize, honor and lift-up the role of the Family Care Givers everywhere. If you are someone you know are now in the role of family care giver I hope you understand that your care giving is the ultimate expression of love. It is what love really means.
There are a number of organizations that focus on the caregiver, offer support and advocate on behalf of care givers. Here are link to a number of such organizations, which themselves offer lists of resources.
· National Alliance for Caregiving
· Caregiver Action Network
· Family Care Giver Alliance
· Huffington Post Anthology of Caregiving Resources and Stories
· Well Spouse Association
· EmblemHealth: Care for the Family Caregiver
The Actual Dance ultimately is a story of a family member, a husband, figuring out how to care for the love his life as the diagnosis became more and more dire. And it is the story of discovery of what love really means.
One answer is what millions of family members do every day. The commitment to be present and support and care and demonstrate that love for someone who needs it, unconditionally and with appreciation that such are is not a burden, it is a privilege. Love can be “holding a semi-circular metal pan out for her to throw-up.” And while such specific tasks can take a toll on the caregiver, the caregiver experiences those moments as essential acts of love.
It is appropriate then that the nation itself recognize, honor and lift-up the role of the Family Care Givers everywhere. If you are someone you know are now in the role of family care giver I hope you understand that your care giving is the ultimate expression of love. It is what love really means.
There are a number of organizations that focus on the caregiver, offer support and advocate on behalf of care givers. Here are link to a number of such organizations, which themselves offer lists of resources.
· National Alliance for Caregiving
· Caregiver Action Network
· Family Care Giver Alliance
· Huffington Post Anthology of Caregiving Resources and Stories
· Well Spouse Association
· EmblemHealth: Care for the Family Caregiver
RSS Feed
