Dear Friends
Happy Interdependence Day!
Week of June 30, 2014
Prayer Requests
Dear Friends,
Friday's celebration of Independence Day has us thinking about relationships and dependencies. Here in the United States, July 4 marks the anniversary of America's declaring its independence from England.
But, as historians can easily point out, that little band of thirteen colonies wasn't without need of help from other countries. And as political scientists have no trouble showing now, in order to be successful, countries still rely on strong and loyal allies.
On a much more personal level, there’s the myth of the rugged individual who takes pride in not needing help from anyone, anytime. It's an appealing thought -- the stuff of legend -- but it just isn't true.
You don't have to be a care-receiver to need assistance: no one is totally independent. But when you find yourself becoming a care-receiver it’s a tough blow to the ego as the independence/interdependence balance shifts. Sometimes very quickly. Sometimes very dramatically.
And with that change -- with those changes -- come a host of challenges for the one who needs care and the one who provides it.
As a caregiver or a care-receiver, you know that. You're living that.
Monica talked about independence and interdependence in a video series titled "From a Care-receiver's Point of View" (which you can find on our YouTube channel, JohnTheCaregiver; or order as a --free! -- DVD). Here's part one in that series:
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Again this week we cordially invite you to join the Friends of St. John the Caregiver! (FSJC's programs include YourAgingParent.com and CatholicCaregivers.com.) You can find out more about becoming a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).
You can:
sign up on-line here
or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or
print and mail an application form.
God bless you!
Bill