Are you (or someone you know) caring for a loved one who has dementia? If you answered “yes” then I want to introduce you to Diane Chew. For four years, Diane has been the full-time caregiver for her husband, Ben, who has Lewy Body dementia. She not only cares for Ben every day, but she also shares her daily challenges and successes on Instagram.
When I listen to Diane I think of a famous speech from Theodore Roosevelt:
Theodore Roosevelt
“It is not the critic who counts; not the (person) who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the (person) who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends (one’s self) in a worthy cause.. . .”
Diane is in the arena, and she is honest and real. For example, one or her episodes is called, “True Confessions for Caregivers.” In her confession she addresses other caregivers and asks, “How may times in the past week did you fall into the resentment guilt cycle?” Answering her own question, she says, “today I let the resentments surface and I came up with 44 of them.” She then encourages other caregivers to express their resentments.
Diane concludes that episode by affirming other caregivers to “remember we’re worth it. We’re worth paying attention to our own feelings. We’re worth taking the time to share them with each other.”
Thank you, Diane, for being in the dementia arena and sharing your journey with others. Thank you also for always finding a positive thought during your challenging journey.
If you’re interested in following Diane’s journey, check out her YouTube channel , Instagram page or website.
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