Popular ‘Night To Shine’ Social Event Needs Devoted Buddies

I don't know if anybody reading this has ever been a caregiver. But if you have, it's a very unique experience.

On the one hand, it's very rewarding. You're getting to spend almost every day if not every day making sure one of the people you love the most is well taken care of. You get to spend every day with someone you love, which is great.  You are the one in charge, so you know how to help your loved one the best.  And it's a good feeling to know you're helping.

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It's a good feeling.... but it's also a nonstop feeling. Let me unpack that. When you're a caregiver, the buck stops with you. There's no tapping out. There's no tagging someone else in. It's all you, all the time, and it gets to the point where neither of you can really have it any other way. You as the caregiver worry too much about your loved one when you're away. And they as the patient have to deal with not only the feeling of being a burden, but also having someone they're unfamiliar with in your absence.

So it can be really hard to find a way to alleviate not just the physical aspects of the caregiver life - which can be exhausting, don't get me wrong... there's a lot of shoulder pain, back pain, and unfortunately a lot of stress headaches involved - but I'm also talking about the mental load.  And, I know we don't like to talk about this part, but...there's definitely a cost, too.

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You're worried about them when you're with them, but you're also worried about them when you're away. So really there is no respite for anybody. There's no break where you and your loved one feel like neither of you are a burden to the other. I get it, it's a lot. I've been there.  But luckily there are groups that are looking out for you as the caregiver and your loved ones in these situations for example First United Methodist Church is having an event called Night to Shine in February. I'll let them discuss that.

We didn’t forget about the loved ones that support our Kings and Queens.  We want to honor these incredible parents, family members and caretakers for their lifetime commitment to their loved ones with special needs.  We’d like to provide these remarkable people with an opportunity to rest and enjoy a night off, knowing their loved ones are having an amazing time in a safe environment with a personally assigned “buddy.”  The respite room will be for caretakers to relax and enjoy complimentary food and entertainment.

This way, not only does the cared for individual get to have a night of fun, but the caregiver also gets to have a bit of a break knowing everything is safe and on the up and up. So if you want to participate in this - it's sadly past the sign up.  But you can remember it for next year.  BUT, if you would like to volunteer to be a buddy, here's the relevant information that you're going to need.

Get signed up to be a buddy and get ready to shine!

Voluntarily Yours,

Behka