How did your life change when you became a caregiver?

Everything changed almost overnight. While I was pregnant with our third baby, Ryan was injured and soon after diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. I had to step back from my career to care for him and our children full time. We left our home in Florida and moved to Illinois to be closer to family. I went from co-parenting and co-planning a future to managing everything alone. It felt like our life split in two: before diagnosis and after.

What are your biggest challenges as a caregiver?

Every season has brought new challenges. Early on, it was getting others to believe something was really wrong and pushing for a diagnosis. Then came the logistics—navigating his discharge, finding programs, and coordinating care. My biggest ongoing challenge has been building a stable support system while trying to cover the emotional, financial, and physical demands of caregiving and parenting. It’s a lot, and it's relentless.

What have you learned about yourself through your role as a caregiver?

That I’m more resilient than I ever knew. I’ve learned how to advocate fiercely, adapt quickly, and love deeply through uncertainty. The shift from wife to caregiver is painful—I miss my husband every day—but I will always show up for him with love and dignity. Even if everything around us changes, that won’t.