By Georgene Smith Goodin — 2016
My status as a foster parent is ambiguous by nature. Do I count as a mom? Legally? No.
Read on www.washingtonpost.com
CLEAR ALL
Learn how to give patients and their families the support they need.
1
I’ve been disabled and intensely ill with the degenerative neuro-immuno illness myalgic encephalomyelitis (formerly known by the misnomer “chronic fatigue syndrome”) for 30 years.
When a coworker is diagnosed with cancer, most people simply don’t know what to say. Speechless is the usual reaction.
Expert advice on finding the right words, listening well, and getting specific about offers of help.
When it comes to providing emotional support, skip the platitudes. What matters is being honest and human.
When my mom developed dementia, my dad tried to deny it and I tried to fix it. We both failed.
My mom’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and decline were a painful and lonely journey, one that coincided with an otherwise unbearably hectic time. My two children were still in diapers.
Last week was the one-year anniversary of the beginning of my husband’s health crisis. As I gaze at the permanent handicap placard and at him sleeping, once again, on the couch, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned this past year.
When someone you love falls ill, gets in an accident or receives a scary health diagnosis, it’s never easy. In fact, it may be the hardest thing you’ll ever have to face. Unfortunately, it’s also inevitable that we’ll all deal with this kind of situation in life.