Stories from Caregivers: Gail from MICHIGAN
MI
Gail
FROM MICHIGAN
My husband and I BOTH have MS. We met 15 years ago, after both being in marriages with people who could not accept the disease. We married and loved our life together! Unfortunately, my husband started deteriorating rather quickly and I started a new role as his caregiver. Emery is now unable to walk or even transfer and is in a power chair. He is a Navy Vietnam vet and the VA has been great. They have provided quite a bit of equipment and supplies. They recently bought him a standing chair. I must use a Hoyer lift to transfer Emery from Bed to chair, and that's challenging, since I have MS too. We have an aide some mornings, as it takes two people to get him in and out of the shower safely. I also have a son who is paralyzed and lives on the other side of the country. We have other children and grandchildren. We can no longer travel, so we don't get to see them. We don't have family that can help, so we're pretty much on our own, but we believe that God will provide what we need. Life is challenging, but I believe that attitude is so important when you're dealing with a debilitating disease. We can still contribute - Emery makes newborn caps for babies in the local hospital, and I work on burial gowns for preemies that don't survive. Every morning, when I get out of bed, I pray for the strength I need to take care of my husband. I never know from day to day if I'll be able to do what I need to do, but God's grace is sufficient. We may have MS, but it doesn't have us!
