My daughter Vilavy is my finest testimonial. My daughter was born with Crouzon’s Syndrome (CS). CS is a craniofacial disorder involving malformation of the face and cranium. This may cause hydrocephalus, sleep apnea, Chiari malformation, and developmental delays. My daughter got all of them. She underwent a series of reconstructive craniofacial surgeries throughout her life. Today she is a grown woman, living independently but occasionally still needing support.

Those early years were the hardest for me as a primary caregiver. With a limited support system and nothing available to learn how to build resilience, I suffered from compassion fatigue without knowing. My daughter is my most inspiring teacher. She taught me to be patient, to breathe, to be in the moment, and to take care of myself, so I may continue to care for her. Caring for my daughter has been my biggest challenge as a mother and caregiver but the most incredible honor I have received. A challenge I am eternally grateful for.

Life gives me yet another chance to strengthen my resilience through compassion. In 2017, I was unexpectedly honored to care for my ailing father. My Dad was suffering from a neurocognitive disorder. Caring for him brought me deep joy. Becoming my father’s caregiver added an extra challenge to my mind, body, and emotions. My clinical experience as a social worker was not enough to handle his daily care. Again, I tapped into my strengths. I remember to be compassionate and not lose sight of my purpose or intentions. It is understanding shared humanity that helps us to connect with others. I reminded myself every day why I was doing that. My answer: out of love, courage, and compassion, even for myself.