#Tuestimony
In late 2010, my Father suffered from a second stroke, which caused aphasia (inability to speak) and ~85% paralysis on the right side of his body. I’ve been his caretaker ever since (and now, so is my Wife!). But the way God puts things in order is amazing!
I had been living by myself since 2008 in a 2-bedroom apartment. At the turn of 2010, some stuff went down with the house Dad was living in and he was in need of a new place to live. We decided that it would be best for him to move in with me and take the spare bedroom… and later on get a more stable place of his own. Well, months after moving in with me… his second stroke happened. He was in the Hospital/Rehabilitation Facility for almost 4 months and was scheduled to be released/discharged in Jan 2011. So, the family had some decisions to make about what to do when he was released and who would care for him and all that jazz… as he still needed around-the-clock assistance and supervision. The best decision was for Pops to continue to live with me.
My apartment was sub-level… so to get to it, you’d have to walk down a flight of 11 steps. But because of Pop’s condition, there was no way he could get down and up those steps. My apartment’s Front Office originally denied my request to transfer me to a level apartment (without steps) because there was nothing wrong with my current apartment. If anything, I would have had to break my lease and pay a penalty (or pay my lease off) and then re-apply for a level unit. So, I wrote the Front Office a letter explaining my situation and asking for some kind of exception. The Front Office manager then contacted Corporate (on my behalf) and got the request exception approved for me. So, we were able to change apartments, without paying any extra fees or penalties. #Blessing
At the time, there were relatives who were retired who could have possibly taken Pops in and cared for him. But some of them also had children/grandchildren and other responsibilities and lifestyles that would have made things pretty difficult. I, on the other hand, was actually already working from home… and plus, I didn’t have any children or other responsibilities or a lifestyle that would have made things too difficult. So, I was in a position to keep an eye on Pops all day at home, whilst still working and earning money. For the rare times I did need to leave the house, we had coverage: Family Members, Home Health Aides/Nurses when they were scheduled, Friends, and even Neighbors. #Blessing
When my Wife and I discussed our future together (before we got married), she already acknowledged that she knew I was a “packaged deal” that came with my Father. Even during our courtship phase, she was right there helping take care of Pops. Saying “YES”, when I asked her to marry me, meant a life that would automatically also include the care, commitment, and consideration for another person outside of her and me. And she knew that, and never hesitated, paused, or reconsidered. #Blessing
So, I don’t take for granted that…
(1) I was living in a 2-bedroom apt alone when Pops needed a place to stay
(2) My apartment management essentially ‘broke a rule’ to allow me to transfer units without additional costs
(3) I was already working from home so I was available to care for Pops
(4) People were able to help with Pop’s care when I needed them
(5) Wife left a ‘packaged’ relationship but wasn’t resistant to enter another one
I thank God for all those things! #WontHeDoIt!