The light in the middle of the tunnel
Subtitle: harrowing but hopeful stories of Parkinson's family caregivers
By: Susan Gangsei and the many generous caregivers who shared their stories
Contributors: Aston Group
Publisher: Aston Group
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Minneapolis, MN
Language: eng
Number of pages: 101
ISBN-13: 9780989066907
Subjects: Caregivers; Mental health; Parkinson's disease; Patients; Care
Other titles: Harrowing but hopeful stories of Parkinson's family caregivers
Description: "When my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2000 and it was clear that I would be his major caregiver, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I was scared, I was sad -- and I felt guilty that I was angry -- at him, at the world, at God. Most of all, I felt alone. Not even my closest friends could begin to understand what I was going through. Books on caregiving provided practical advice on the nuts and bolts, but I needed emotional support from people who knew what I was feeling, and I needed it ASAP. Out of this need, The Light in the Middle of the Tunnel : Harrowing but Hopeful Stories of Parkinson's Family Caregivers was born. In an effort to maintain my sanity and sense of purpose in the face of my husband's Parkinson's, I began writing about how I felt. Soon I began talking with other caregivers, sharing fear, anger, hope, and even happiness with them, and recording their experiences and wisdom. In many senses, The Light in the Middle of the Tunnel is not a self-help book. It's a let-others-help-you book, in which caregivers share their distressing, sometimes overwhelming feelings -- and their hard-won self-care skills and wisdom. It's a support group between covers, designed to help readers with their own emotions. Each chapter takes up one of the emotions that hits a caregiver as the reality of their partner's condition sinks in: anger, fear, sorrow, acceptance, renewal, joy"--Page 4 of cover.
Table of contents: title: Angry: I didn't volunteer for this!; title: Scared: the great unknown; title: Sad: where's the light switch? It's dark in here; title: Accepting: the new normal; title: Renewed: places to refuel; title: Unexpected gifts: there is a pony in there; title: Epilogue: the blessing of the saints; title: A guide for friends of caregivers.