The essential act of caregiving is to make sure another person’s physical and/or emotional needs are met. But, what happens when one gets so invested into caring for another, that they neglect their own personal needs? Peter Rosenberger has found…
‘Destiny’ is how Gilbert Tan, 56, describes his relationship with Irene, his wife of 14 years. “I’m not allowed to tell Irene’s age,” he laughed. After a swimming accident in 1983 left him a quadriplegic, he had been in and…
Harriet, whose husband became a paraplegic in 2013, writes about a topic that many caregivers often experience: the lack of sleep - or more specifically - interrupted sleep. After her husband came home from the hospital, Harriet found herself up in…
So much changes when someone experiences a spinal cord injury. And among those changes is a shift in family relationships. Parents, spouses, and even siblings often find themselves thrust into unexpected roles. "I think role shifts are the biggest change…
Living at the intersection of queerness and disability makes for a truly unique perspective of the world. Since coming out publicly earlier this year, queer athlete Theresa Goh, 30, is beginning to see just how her multifaceted identity disrupts commonly-held…
In 2015, Riona experienced a rare spinal stroke that paralyzed her from the waist down. And several days after her stroke, her husband told her he wanted a divorce. “After suffering a stroke not only did I have to deal with…
For many of us, while dating can be complicated and awkward, it is often an ocean we start navigating in adolescence. Some believe in the idea of soulmates; that there will surely be someone out there for you and all…
"As a caregiver to my quadriplegic husband, I am always on the lookout for skin issues. When a red spot crops up, I apply a foam dressing to help protect the area." Kristen, a caregiver to her husband Jeff,…
Caring for another person often requires heavy lifting on the part of the caregiver. Overextended and strained muscles can cause both immediate and prolonged problems, and back muscles in particular are at risk for injury if proper precautions are not taken.…
Oftentimes, becoming a caregiver can be an abrupt experience. Suddenly your life is turned upside down, and you are overwhelmed by your new role of taking care of a loved one. That's what happened to Kristen when her husband Jeff…