The ever looming shadow of caregiving

Our household doesn’t rely on alarm clocks. Instead, it’s the consistent thumping of my 18 year old brother’s foot against the side of his crib that signals 6 am. His profound autism and developmental delay are woven into the fabric of our family’s daily routine, and his silent cues shape our interactions. Breakfast, a simple meal for many, is an intricate dialogue for us. My brother doesn’t communicate with words, but his actions speak volumes. A fleeting smile and hand rub mean yes, while a whine or deliberate head turn signals no.The complexity of caregivingMy life is completely mapped out by my caregiving role. Home based care requires understanding of the unique environment my brother needs to feel secure and happy. This means that after he is tucked in bed at 7 pm, the whole house must maintain a library voice to avoid waking him up. It means always remembering…
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