Miracle Workers

"A miracle worker is not geared toward fighting the world that is, but toward creating the world that could be." Marianne Williamson

We who are caregivers are miracle workers.  We take a very, very difficult situation and work toward creating the best of the situation for the care receiver and ourselves.  I have come to belief that -- for me -- I do not want to fight against anything.  I think it is a mistake to "fight" the disease of dementia, or other diseases, like drug addiction.  That does not mean we do not aim for the highest quality of life for the person with dementia and ourselves, but to "fight it", seems to me to be using our energy in the wrong way.  Miracles do happen, but one reason they are called miracles is that they are rare; not the usual circumstances.  I think it is fair to say that we are not going to "beat" dementia during the time that we are caregivers.  It is a terminal and progressive disease.  We who are caregivers see the progression on a daily basis.  I think it is important to accept that this is a terminal disease, and then to make the best of the life time that remains.  And, to make the best of it, means to focus on the well being of the care receiver and ourselves.  The most important aspect for the care receiver may very well be safety, as in Lewy Bodies Dementia the application of judgment to actions and decisions is severely damaged.  The most important aspect of well being for the care giver is respite from the demands of the care receiver, and that sometimes means having the care receiver live in a setting where the supervision is in place.  Whatever our decision, let us remember we are miracle workers:  working toward creating the best possible world we can -- for the care receiver and ourselves -- within the parameters of the disease of dementia.