by Jayne Barsic, DPT
“I hope that someday I’ll be as good of a husband as your dad. No husband loves his wife as much as your dad loves your mom.” This was said to my daughter by a young man after our annual golf outing for the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation.
The life of the caregiver of a disabled spouse is not an easy one. I’ve been suffering from this spinal CSF leak for 9 years now. The divorce rate for couples in which one spouse is disabled hovers around 90%. I see how difficult it is, but my attempts at trying to get better via many, many needle procedures and 5 spinal surgeries have been unsuccessful thus far. We have traveled across the country for treatment 15 times during this challenging journey, yet my husband keeps loving me and caring for me, even when I’m unlovable.
I’ve always known my husband loves me. We fell in love when we were just teenagers. Now, 43 years later, I realize his love for me is greater than I had imagined. My appreciation and love for him continues to grow exponentially.
My heart aches for those who are disabled and have no caregiver at all. I praise God every day that at 15 years old I chose a life partner that can love me more than any husband loves his wife. My heart swells with overwhelming appreciation and humility. No wife loves her husband as much as I love mine.
Today is Caregiver Appreciation Day during Migraine & Headache Awareness Month. Beside many individuals that suffer with intracranial hypotension or another disabling illness are unwavering and loving caregivers. Today we say THANK YOU to these amazing people. #NotAlone