You can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself.
What forms of support have you received from your local community?
My friends and neighbors are incredible. One of my neighbors will drive my husband to the emergency room in the middle of the night so I don’t have to wake my small children and take them to the hospital. Even his small actions, like offering to walk the dog, helps ease things.
To whom do you reach out for help?
I have a Facebook group that has been a wonderful support system for me. This is a private group I created just for me, made up of the friends and family I trust the most. They truly are my Facebook angels.
What advice do you wish you had when you first became a military caregiver?
We all care for various illnesses, injuries, and disabilities. Please do not think you don’t deserve help and support because your situation is different from someone else’s. Be tenacious in seeking out things that help you! Be sure to connect with other caregivers, whether that be online or in a local support group. Treat yourself like a small child: feed yourself well, see your doctor, put yourself to bed early, and find things in life that bring you joy.
Resources That Helped Me
Operation Ward 57
Operation Ward 57 is a grassroots organization that helps wounded service members, their families, and their caregivers in a variety of ways. When I became sick, Operation Ward 57 was able to help me by providing house cleaning.
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Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers
Operation Family Caregiver, a program of the Rosalynn Carter Institute, provides a series of coaching sessions via the phone or Facetime. The people running the sessions truly understand caregivers and have helped me learn how to best manage my time.
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My Story
Liz's husband, Rob, served in the military for 28 years before he was medically retired. Most of his injuries are invisible wounds, and include but are not limited to, neurological and cognitive issues, spinal damage, mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post traumatic stress.
As a Dole Fellow, Liz is committed to bringing awareness to the need for helping military and veteran caregivers self identify as caregivers, and for the need for support for caregivers of all conflict eras.
