Tell us about your life before caregiving.

Before the sudden onset of my husband’s disabilities, we were an active couple who enjoyed making plans and going out with friends. He and I both enjoyed being social butterflies. In fact, one of our mutual friends introduced us, and we have not left each other’s side since that night 18 years ago.

What are your biggest challenges as a caregiver?

My biggest challenge as a caregiver was to realize a simple fact of my husband’s disability picture: this was not something that my husband was doing to me; instead, it is something that is happening to him. Once I made that realization, once I got over myself, I embraced the role of caregiver and sought to help my husband and other veterans and their families find the peace that comes with putting someone else first in all things.

Tell us who you are outside of your role as a caregiver?

I am a law professor, sharpshooter, and volunteer at the free legal clinic offered in town by the VA. Reading about the stoic philosophy and implementing the core concepts into my own life has been transformative for me personally through this journey. My sense of self has changed dramatically since the sudden onset of my husband’s disabilities: we, along with our son, are one family unit, working together to do the best we can.