Written by Jessie Ary on Thu Mar 17 2022.
Join us in recognizing March as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. We read and learned about so many amazing caregivers after receiving over 1,000 entries for our annual Caregiver of the Year Award. We have several caregivers in our community that help care for loved ones who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries. We received this touching entry from Jacqueline W., a caregiver for her sister, Deborah, who has suffered from a brain injury and stroke.
Jacqueline W:
"Jacqueline W. deserves to be recognized as Caregiver of the Year for optimistically embracing the responsibility of her sister Deborah’s care. Deborah fell ill with a brain injury and stroke in December 2019 in CA which left her bed ridden and a total care patient. Deborah had no family or support system. Jacqueline leaped into action. Jacqueline made five trips to CA to manage Deborah’s medical and personal care. Jacqueline ultimately packed up her apartment and personal belongings. In March 2020 Jacqueline gathered $10,000 from her own budget and the generosity of family and friends to have her medically transported to her home in CT. Deborah was in lockdown in nursing facility from March 2020. To May 25, 2021.
Only missing 6 daily visits. Upon her return to Jacqueline and her husband’s home Deborah’s care has been managed including hands on by Jacqueline. Deborah has been stable and safe and her condition is improving. We are challenged mostly because she did not get the therapy she needed throughout the lockdown. Since being home we are making progress. We have purchased equipment and continue our commitment to her recovery. Our newest goal is to strengthen the core in order for Deborah to hopefully get out of bed with extra help. The ultimate goal is to realize the achievement of doing the most basic life skills. We will embrace this commitment everyday with this our prayer."
Traumatic Brain Injury can affect cognitive skills and mobility, which can be very debilitating, and can make recovery challenging. We are so inspired by Jacqueline and her commitment to helping her sister while she recovers from her stroke and brain injury. Jacqueline, you are loved and appreciated by your friends and family, and your heart-warming story has touched so many.
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Approximately 11% of Americans aged 65 and older experience subjective cognitive decline (SCD) –– a condition characterized by worsening or more frequent confusion and/or memory loss.
Read More >Jessie Ary is Carewell's Content Coordinator. When Jessie isn't writing for Carewell, she spends her time attempting to climb rocks and traveling throughout the country with her cat, Carrot.