I think society leads us to define who we are by what roles we have which tends to be in terms of what we do, how much we earn and how much influence we have. I believe that we are more than just the sum of what we do. Otherwise, we are set up for a major identity crisis when our roles change. For example, a major role in my life was being a pastor. However, my health failed and I went on disability. This was a tough change and for some people, their disability becomes their identity. However, in my denomination, I'm still considered an ordained minister, but not an active pastor. Plus, what the Bible says about who I am in Christ has not changed for me as a Christian. Thus, I do have some constants in my life despite other changes. So, after some struggle and searching, I've discovered a second calling, a second ministry and a second life within the boundaries of what I can do. In my marriage, my wife and I are in the empty nest phase which I'm glad we prepared well for by keeping our relationship alive and thus this role change is not as overwhelming as it is for some people. I have an illness called bi-polar disorder, but I'm not bi-polar, I am a person with bi-polar. One of my roles is being the POA for my elderly mother who is in a nursing home, but that is only one of my roles which now does not take as much energy as it did at first when there were a lot of tax issues, ect. to deal with. Right now, my wife's health is not good. So, I am having to help her. However, I do carve out time for me and my current project is writing a book.

I am Andria, I am a professional Caregiver.
I have found myself......I know who I am.......
It took a long time but after my dad's death (Vascular Dementia) of which I was 0ne of his caregivers.....I found my self and established my connection to other seniors who need the same care that my dad needed.
I know myself because only now I feel a true sense of satisfaction from the results of caring wholeheartedly. It is true that there are moments when I take time away to collect myself.....i do this when I write......or when I explain care to other families who need information.
It fulfills me and I know that I was called to do this work......now I know that I have found myself and I know who I truly am today.
I am the happy caregiver.

Who am I? Good question. Well I USED to be a teacher until I resigned from that and moved cross country to care for my mother with PD with the misguided notion that I would find another teaching job near my mother. My mother quickly informed me that 'she needed me and what was she going to do if I got a teaching job" I told her that she would need to have help while I was at work. She was not happy to hear that but too bad. Well in a round about way she got her 'way". There are no teaching jobs and the ones that do exist -- let's just say they're looking for younger ones than myself to fill those positions. And since the economy sucks, there aren't even Wal-Mart greeter jobs available. I was unhappy -- but mom wasn't. Since I had no job or health insurance she graciously took care of that. But that's a double edged sword. Now whenever I make any noise about wanting to get a job or make movements outside this house I have been informed that it had better be a really good high paying job with benefits or it's not worth it (to mom that is ) for me to take it. So I used to define myself as a high school Social Studies teacher. Now I would describe myself as an Idiot who should have stayed where she was b/c that would have forced mom into first assisted living and then more skilled facility as her needs would demand that.and finally, I would still have a career and life. I think now my role in life is to be a guide to "DON"T DO WHAT I"VE DONE" BTW I'm still going to try and get something in the educ field or even a part time job somewhere and too bad if mom doesn't like it.