I was reminded of this at a recent support group meeting. Looking around, I was surrounded by my peers in the other CarePartners in the (Zoom) room. My husband, on the other hand, was surrounded by others with this disease but their differences outweighed their similarities. One has high blood pressure another low, one has vison problems another hearing, my husband faces mostly physical challenges others are working through cognitive issues. Treatment plans range from Sinemet to CBD and the one or two who have had Deep Brain Stimulation. They all have Parkinson’s Disease, but the symptoms have presented uniquely in each and every one of them and most also have other factors at play. While I think this group does serve him as a social intervention, I am not sure whether he gets a lot of help on managing his particular symptoms.

This CarePartner group, however, is very much my team. These are people who know me and understand the shared challenge of watching our partners fight this disease. While there are differences in what our People with PD face, our lives are very much the same as we continue to love them and care for them. I know that they can identify with the days when I am exhausted by the needs of my husband and my home. I know that they get me when I say that I can’t take on any more at this time because my plate is too full. I know that I can turn to them when days are dark and they will help me see my way through.

My team may not include professionals like my husband’s does, but my people are experienced and compassionate with a wisdom born only of living the journey. They are walking a similar path to mine and, while they may not be on the exact same trajectory I am, they can still reach out and take my hand to help me along. I can only hope that I may be the same helping hand for others as we all move forward to wherever this life as CarePartner is leading us.