Support forJim and Kathy
Donation protected
Hello friends and family! As you know, my dad Jim has been struggling with advanced Parkinson’s Disease for many years. His wife Kathy has been his greatest support and companion throughout, and has been the kind of partner that everyone would want by their side, adapting to her role as the caregiver with remarkable strength and grace. Jim has inspired us for years with his sense of humor and perseverance in the face of this difficult hand life has dealt him.
For the last eight weeks I have been on a leave of absence at work in order to be home with them, to assist my mom in her caregiver role, and to spend valuable time with my Dad. My goal in taking this time was also to assess and figure out where we go from here.
Due to the progressive nature of his disease, Jim has lost the majority of his mobility, and is unable to accomplish any activities of daily living independently. He at this time requires total care, a 24 hr/day job. He is often times confused due to Parkinson’s type dementia, but we still see those glimpses of our mischievous and fun-living Jim, and we are so thankful for that!
Keeping him at home is our number one priority. However, rural Trinity county has limited support services, and most government supported services they do not qualify for. This leaves Kathy working what really amounts to a full time job to support the household and medical costs, with several years left until she can feasibly retire, and performing a full-time caregiver job as well. She’s stubborn and “fine” but I really want to help her! She doesn’t know about this, and she won’t be happy about it so SSSHHHH!
What would best assist Jim and Kathy is a caregiver to come in to the home a couple days a week. The cost of this is substantial and will come completely out of pocket. What this caregiver will provide is obvious respite for Kathy, which she will 100% spend working because we all know how she is ;)....but also respite for Jim! A little variety to his week, which does perk him up, and a chance to feel like less of a burden to his wife that he loves more than anything. He will never be a burden to us...but we know he feels this way at times at that is the worst heartbreak of all.
So that is my goal in fundraising, to be able to offer a means of obtaining a caregiver to Jim and Kathy for as long as we can support it. I had a hard time deciding whether to do this or not, I dislike the idea of asking anyone for money. So I want to be perfectly clear that we do not expect anything from anyone! So many of you help already in many ways. All I would like this to be is an opportunity to help in a situation that can make you feel helpless. We know how much you all love Jim and appreciate all your love and assistance in every form it comes in.
I would also like this to be privately shared amongst close friends and family, please nothing public. And again, my mom doesn’t know. I’ll have to face her wrath when the time comes ;)
Much love and thanks to all of you for all you have done to help us!!
For the last eight weeks I have been on a leave of absence at work in order to be home with them, to assist my mom in her caregiver role, and to spend valuable time with my Dad. My goal in taking this time was also to assess and figure out where we go from here.
Due to the progressive nature of his disease, Jim has lost the majority of his mobility, and is unable to accomplish any activities of daily living independently. He at this time requires total care, a 24 hr/day job. He is often times confused due to Parkinson’s type dementia, but we still see those glimpses of our mischievous and fun-living Jim, and we are so thankful for that!
Keeping him at home is our number one priority. However, rural Trinity county has limited support services, and most government supported services they do not qualify for. This leaves Kathy working what really amounts to a full time job to support the household and medical costs, with several years left until she can feasibly retire, and performing a full-time caregiver job as well. She’s stubborn and “fine” but I really want to help her! She doesn’t know about this, and she won’t be happy about it so SSSHHHH!
What would best assist Jim and Kathy is a caregiver to come in to the home a couple days a week. The cost of this is substantial and will come completely out of pocket. What this caregiver will provide is obvious respite for Kathy, which she will 100% spend working because we all know how she is ;)....but also respite for Jim! A little variety to his week, which does perk him up, and a chance to feel like less of a burden to his wife that he loves more than anything. He will never be a burden to us...but we know he feels this way at times at that is the worst heartbreak of all.
So that is my goal in fundraising, to be able to offer a means of obtaining a caregiver to Jim and Kathy for as long as we can support it. I had a hard time deciding whether to do this or not, I dislike the idea of asking anyone for money. So I want to be perfectly clear that we do not expect anything from anyone! So many of you help already in many ways. All I would like this to be is an opportunity to help in a situation that can make you feel helpless. We know how much you all love Jim and appreciate all your love and assistance in every form it comes in.
I would also like this to be privately shared amongst close friends and family, please nothing public. And again, my mom doesn’t know. I’ll have to face her wrath when the time comes ;)
Much love and thanks to all of you for all you have done to help us!!
Organizer
Molly Ratliff
Organizer
Redding, CA
