The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

March 7, 2013

Your View: Caregivers deserve praise and support

By Mary O'Sullivan, Mankato

— Thank you, Robb Murray, for sharing Jim and Judy Roe's beautiful love story, and Jim's journey through caregiving.

These quiet heroes like Jim are providing care for their loved ones throughout our community. Through God's grace, Jim has grown in his role as caregiver and, is "ready to accept who she is today."

Caregiving can be demanding yet fulfilling. But it can also leave caregivers feeling isolated and unprepared for their role.

Probably most of us know  someone who is a caregiver. There are many ways we can show our love and support in very concrete ways:   Do some of their errands; meet them for a walk, or coffee, or lunch; call them; invite the caregiver and their loved one to your home for dinner. Shovel their snow. Clean their house. Bring over a meal. Invite them to church. Stay with a caregiver's loved one so they can, garden, work at their desk, read, buy groceries, get a haircut or simply take a nap.

Murray not only accomplished a fine piece of journalism, he performed an important public service. He provided insight into the life of a caregiver, and  let other caregivers know that it's OK to ask for help.

As Jim Roe said, "As a caregiver you're facing your limitations. You have to understand you're a human being and accept the fact that you can't meet this person's needs all the time. You can fool yourself into thinking you're something you're not. But this process brings you really close to realizing who you really are."

I am grateful that Jim experienced the grace to know this.

I say to both Robb Murray and Jim Roe, well done.

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Your View
  • Local water decisions were foolish

    May 24, 2013

  • mfp jentgesmug Many counter-argue global warming

    Like Leigh Pomeroy (Act now on Earth Day, April 27) I try to do what I can as an individual to protect the environment, and encourage others to do likewise.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp maertens mug Republicans natter about 'I' word

    Mitt Romney first politicized the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, only hours after the event, by claiming the president sympathized with terrorists

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp yezzimug ACA benefits ignored by writer

    Bob Jentges’ May 8 My View strikes me as being like a football coach trying to frighten players into quitting when the game has barely begun. His wholly negative piece reads like a catalog of scare tactics.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Apology in abuse case was not accepted

    I am the mother of the victim in the Miguel Beltran child abuse case. I would like to clarify one thing in regards to the recent article that was printed.

    May 21, 2013

  • Highway cleanup crews priceless at 100 degrees As I was driving home from work in the late afternoon on the first 100 degree spring day, I saw, proudly wearing their bright, neon green safety vests and picking up garbage in the ditches, were the Adopt a Highway volunteer crews. When I honked my h

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp dekruifmug DFL budget leaves out reform The 2013 Minnesota Legislature started facing a projected budget shortfall of $635 million and by state mandate must balance the budget. The new DFL controlled government has a "fix" for this shortfall; raising taxes and fees for all Minnesotans by a

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bell of Honor sign of respect for heroes Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the North Mankato Funeral Home for David Sandmeyer's military visitation. It was a very moving experience. Sandmeyer was the young man who was a 21-year-old Marine from Mankato. He was stationed in North Carol

    May 18, 2013

  • MSU falls while coach Hoffner will win again Attention MSU Alumni You and I have just learned of the decision that the Minnesota State University leadership, i.e. Dr. Davenport, Mr. Kevin Buisman (and probably others) have made concerning Todd Hoffner, the former MSU Football Coach. This firing

    May 17, 2013

  • Minnesota deserves lawmakers with a clue Our senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were part of a group to vote for and pass Obamacare. You know the overwhelming law that the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) said you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it. Exactly what they did

    May 17, 2013