Why do I care?

Unbeknownst to most of us, one in five adults in the United States, approximately 53 million Americans, are unpaid family caregivers who provide vital care for their loved ones’ health or activity of daily living (ADL) needs. That is one in five adults!

Within this group, 5.6 million families have children with special health care needs, contributing an estimated $35 billion annually in unpaid care. The annual financial burden on families can total over $3,200 per child on out-of-pocket expenses related to caregiving, and these expenses are expected to increase as proposed Medicaid cuts will likely lead to reduced funding for access to medical specialists, medical equipment, and therapy sessions. We may not know all that is on the horizon, nonetheless, we know changes are coming for our communities as more caregivers are needed and the increased financial responsibility is felt.

Equally important, is acknowledging as a society the isolation many caregivers experience. I know the feeling of being alone in my caregiving kept me from reaching out to friends and family members for help or for respite care. It left me disconnected, and it was often hard to maintain social relationships. I am not unique. I know many caregivers who suffer emotionally due to the demanding nature of their duties.

So why do I care so much?

Because these families live in your town, your neighborhood and on your street. These families long to worship in your synagogues, churches and temples. These amazing caregivers and children attend your child’s school, and they play on your playgrounds, even when they require much assistance. And somehow, we have blinded ourselves and we do not see them. I did not see them until I was a caregiver for Robert.

This is what I want you as a caregiver to hear from me:

1. You are not alone. We just haven’t seen you clearly, but we can learn.

2. Join our community and find advocates who will stand with you.

3. Share your journey. Your voice helps build the community you need.  

This is what I want you as a community member to hear from me:

1. It’s time to see the caregivers around you.

2. Join me in gathering support for these extraordinary individuals.

3. If you work in medicine, therapy, or ministry, let’s collaborate to strengthen those in your care.

 This is why I care.

Listening Library: “Rise Up” (Andra Day)

https://youtu.be/LDffmI0ncfo?si=kg8d2tgfBkRyr2II

Rise Up

You're broken down and tired

Of living life on a merry go round

And you can't find the fighter

But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out

And move mountains

We gonna walk it out

And move mountains

Chorus: And I'll rise upI'll rise like the day

I'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise up

And I'll do it a thousand times again

And I'll rise up

High like the waves

I'll rise upIn spite of the ache

I'll rise up

And I'll do it a thousand times again

For you

For you

For you

For you

When the silence isn't quiet

And it feels like it's getting hard to breathe

And I know you feel like dying

But I promise we'll take the world to its feet

And move mountains

Bring it to its feet

And move mountains

Chorus

All we need, all we need is hope

And for that we have each other

And for that we have each other

And we will rise

We will rise

We'll rise, oh, oh

We'll rise

I'll rise up

Rise like the day

I'll rise up

In spite of the ache

I will rise a thousand times again

And we'll rise up

High like the waves

We'll rise up

In spite of the ache

We'll rise up

And we'll do it a thousand times again

For you

For you

For you

For you

Ah, ah, ah, ah

Songwriters: Cassandra Monique Batie and Jennifer Decilveo

Rise Up lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.,

TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group