It's National Caregivers Day

It's National Caregivers Day.

This day exists to bring attention to the significant service caregivers, particularly unpaid family caregivers, provide to our society as well as the challenges and needs of this important group.

In episode 9 of the CDKL5 in Color podcast we talk with Stephanie who does her best to balance her career as a geoscientist and educator with her caregiving duties. Adaptability is the name of the game when you're a parent caregiver to someone living with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, and adapt she has. Stephanie's career is on a different trajectory than she originally anticipated, and in some ways she is finding new meaning in what work is valuable to her.

It can be extremely difficult for many caregivers to make it work, and some caregivers leave their career completely.

Did you know...

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance:

• 69% of working caregivers have to rearrange their work schedule, decrease their hours, or take unpaid leave in order to meet their caregiving responsibilities
• 39% of caregivers leave their job to have more time to care for a loved one

With a lack of societal support for medically complex children and their families, mental and physical health challenges and financial strain are common.

What would supporting caregivers look like? We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email or leave a voice message at our website.

Until next time 💚

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Disclaimer: CDKL5 in Color (podcast, website, blog, text and visual content, social media, and other creative works) constitutes lived experience and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor.