Life presents us with different challenges, and for those who live with people with disabilities, circumstances can become even more complex. Often these people struggle day to day with the routines required by the disabled person they support, facing emotional and physical obstacles that can seem overwhelming. We want, in this brief text, to recognize and honor their courageous work, highlighting the fact that, despite the challenges, their dedication and unconditional love bring empathy, reflection and true change to the world.
LIVING WITH EXTRA EFFORT
Living with a disabled person is not an easy task. Days can be filled with emotional ups and downs, moments of exhaustion and a weight that seems difficult to bear. There are times when caregiving can seem endless and the barriers unbreakable.
Caring for a disabled person is an act of love, commitment and dedication that carries many emotional rewards. However, it is also a task that can be exhausting, tiring and, at times, desperate. It is a feeling that is rarely spoken of out loud for fear of being judged, but it is absolutely real, deeply human, valid to feel, understandable in too many ways. It is all too easy to look from the outside at any of the cases of people who care for others with disabilities and not feel some of the most harmful stereotypes: to feel that they are an example of dedication at all costs when the extent of their context is not well known, or to feel pity, or to apply condescension (always expressed with the best intention, but sometimes that hurts much more than it helps), or to feel lucky, deep inside, that we are not the ones who have to deal with such strong situations. People assume from the outside without genuinely delving into the nuances of these cares.
People who take on the responsibility of caring for someone with a disability (although they usually do so out of love) can feel emotional burden by the weight of routine, and can lead to moments of despair with the constant feeling of not having a break. In these moments, thoughts such as “I can’t take it anymore”, “I’d like to leave everything” or “what would happen if I disappeared for a while?” may arise. These thoughts, far from defining a person as bad or ungrateful, are completely normal signs of extreme exhaustion and an urgent need for support and rest. After all, devoting one’s life to another is one of the most complex and absorbing actions that exist.
Emotional exhaustion is a natural response when the demands of care exceed personal resources. Caregiver syndrome, as it is known, can bring with it anxiety, depression, insomnia and feelings of guilt. It is not that there is a lack of love, but that so much has been given that one’s own emotional reserve can reach a breaking point. It is important to validate these feelings and recognize that sometimes wanting to leave the situation and the person does not mean that you are actually going to do it, but that your body and mind are asking for a break. The solution is not to repress these thoughts, but to find spaces to rest, ask for help and allow yourself to be human.
OU, WHO ARE IN THE CARE OF
If you are a caregiver, and you have ever felt this way, you are not a bad person. You are someone who gives their best every day and who also needs and requires care, understanding and listening. Asking for help, seeking support networks and taking small moments of respite is not selfishness, it is a legitimate need.
Caring is an act of love, but it is also important to recognize that in order to continue doing so, you must first care for/love yourself. It is important to recognize that, on this journey, there are days when patience runs out and emotions overflow. It is not always easy to keep a smile on your face and show strength when exhaustion sets in. But in those moments, it is vital to remember that every action, every small act of love and dedication, has a significant impact.
We want to tell you that you, caregiver, do not go unnoticed for all your efforts and dedication that go into caring for and living with a person with a disability. They do not go unnoticed. They never do and they never will. Despite the difficulties, every day you show admirable resilience and extraordinary courage. Your daily actions are what provide the world with a profound lesson about empathy and compassion, and what are saving the lives of those you accompany.
You may feel that your work is invisible or not valued enough, but the love and dedication you provide not only affects the life of the person with a disability, but also those who are lucky enough to witness your tireless efforts.
Your actions force us to reflect on our own lives, our priorities and the importance of providing support and understanding to those who need it most.
Despite the difficulties and painful moments, there is also an intrinsic beauty in the life you share together. You are able to find joy in the small moments, to celebrate the smallest achievements as if they were great victories. In your daily struggle, you teach us to appreciate how far human connections can go, the understanding and language between two different situations, and the value of differences.
CONCLUSION/ CONTINUITY…
Dear fellow life travelers, we recognize and honor the tremendous effort you make day after day. Your work is a true light among the darkness of prejudice, abandonment and misunderstanding, and you are an example that, even though unconditional love can have moments of exhaustion and tension, in the end it is the greatest strength of any bond. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, your dedication provides the world with an invaluable dose of empathy, reflection and real change. Never forget that your work is extraordinary and that you are making a significant difference in the lives of those around you.
You continue to inspire us all with your strength and resilience. We applaud you and send you all our love and gratitude for your daily struggle. May you continue to find strength in difficult times, never forget to seek the help that you also deserve and need, and never doubt the positive impact you are making in the world.
