Description

The Unexpected Journey of Caring

In The Unexpected Journey of Caring, the role of a caregiver is not something that we actively seek out, but rather something that is thrust upon us unexpectedly. It requires us to completely reevaluate our lives and everything we once knew. Suddenly, our responsibilities, beliefs, hopes, expectations, and relationships all change. Caregiving is not a role that is reserved for a select few; eventually, everyone will find themselves in this position. It is not a role that can be learned through medical training, but rather a new type of relationship that is initiated by the needs of a loved one. And this role extends far beyond the confines of our homes, as it permeates every aspect of our lives.

Today’s caregivers are faced with the daunting task of acquiring new and unfamiliar skills. They not only have to provide care for their loved ones, but also navigate through a maze of community resources, collaborate with medical professionals, adapt to the changing nature of their caregiving role, coordinate care with family members, seek information and support through digital platforms, and manage conflicts between their work, personal life, and relationship roles. The moments that define the transition from loved one to caregiver are crucial, as failing to understand how we are being transformed can lead to undervaluing our experiences, denying our evolving beliefs, feeling misunderstood by others, and experiencing burnout and overwhelm.

Changing Roles

This book is a valuable resource for caregivers, drawing on original research and proven advocacy strategies. It acknowledges the confusion, chaos, and messiness that often accompany caregiving, offering a refreshing perspective that goes beyond well-meaning clichés and stereotypes. It does not make false promises of returning caregivers to their previous lives, but instead meets them where they are in their journey, whether they are new to caregiving or have been in this role for a long time. This book provides a much-needed support system for caregivers, helping them navigate the challenges they face and find validation for their experiences.

The Unexpected Journey of Caring provides insights into the mind and heart of the family caregiver. After reading this book you’ll better understand the caregiving emotions and thoughts which can feel so confusing and lead to so much guilt! Thomson and White share the very good reasons why you feel as you do. They also offer solutions and tools you can use to feel better because you can. If you’re a healthcare professional, this book will equip you to better understand and help those family caregivers you encounter every day. – Denise M. Brown, founder of www.caregiving.com and the National Caregiving Conference

Reviews

This is much more than a story about caregiving for a child with a disability. In The Unexpected Journey of Caring: The Transformation from Loved One to Caregiver, Donna Thomson and Zachary White remind us that living as a caregiver is a state of both being and becoming. This book made me think about the importance of providing opportunities for parents of children with disability to share their experiences with caregiving, and to understand what it means for them to be a caregiver. We learn to ask what caregivers need on their journey becoming a complete person.

Through this powerful book, I hope we dare to have true conversations between caring families and health professionals. After all, caring for caregivers is as much about us (health professionals) as about them (caregiving parents)! To the journey! – Jan Willem Gorter, Director of CanChild Research Center, McMaster University

Donna Thompson

About The Author

Donna Thomson is an accomplished professional in the field of primary reading skills. With a strong background in Special Educational Needs, reading recovery, and early literacy skills development, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. As a specialist, researcher, and educational author, Donna is dedicated to helping students improve their reading abilities and reach their full potential.

In addition to her impressive credentials, Donna is also the founder of Think2Read, a remarkable e-learning platform. This not-for-profit organization is focused on providing primary schools with valuable resources for teaching and assessing early inference skills. With Think2Read, educators have access to a wide range of tools and materials that cater to students of all abilities. By utilizing this platform, schools can effectively support their students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Donna’s passion for education and her commitment to helping students succeed is evident in her work. Through her research and writing, she strives to make a positive impact on the field of education, particularly in the area of reading skills development. With her expertise and the innovative platform she has created, Donna Thomson is making a significant contribution to the educational community, empowering teachers and students alike to excel in the realm of reading and inference skills.