Caregiver stories(videos)

  “So long as we are holding hands, so long as we are a community, we will find light at the end of this very dark tunnel”   Foundation of Caregiver Saathi (0:00 –1:11) Bhavana talks about the origins of Caregiver Saathi, and discusses the Healthcare system in India, and  the lack of care provided for hard working caregivers. She speaks about the aim of Caregiver Saathi to provide support and care for caregivers. Community of Caregivers(1:12 – 2:00) Bhavana Read More

    “Florence Nightingale knew something was fundamentally wrong and without the support of her physician colleague she implemented a policy of hygiene and sanitation among her support staff and not only decreased the deaths and disease but also changed the centuries long conventional healthcare practice.”   Half of our healthcare force is constituted of nurses. Nursing acts as a pillar to the whole healthcare structure. Nurses are the ones who spend most of their time alongside a patient, catering to all Read More

    “Having a child with down syndrome is like taking the scenic route. You still get where you are going. It may take a little longer, but it will be well worth the trip.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mArnXyJ3HNA&t=464s The Jensens have three children, their youngest daughter, Tory, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome after she was born.  In this video, Tory’s parents talk about how their life changed and what their family life is like ever since Tory entered their lives. They speak about Read More

    “…Until one encounters caregiving, you don’t realize the importance of it. You have to go through this particular experience, realize what this experience is about, to understand that there is a requirement for counseling or help that a caregiver needs.”   https://youtu.be/zTXCUZwZEWM Rashmi, is a caregiver to injured and sick animals that she finds around her neighborhood. Her journey is different from others, as, although at the end of the day, caring for people and caring for animals Read More

    “It was important for me to learn, so I immersed myself. My caregiving journey has been to understand what has been going on with my kids, I had to educate myself because I saw my role as the biggest champion.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_2CPuctYoQ&feature=youtu.be Neelam found herself step into the role of a caregiver the minute she stepped into the role of a mother. She is the primary caregiver to her two children, who were diagnosed with Usher’s Syndrome Type 3B, Read More

    “When something like [cancer] is diagnosed… the immediate reaction is shock, but there is an element of hope… End of the day it is that hope which carries through.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrpG7f6BpVE Shobit Arora’s journey began when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Along with his siblings, he supported their mother in caregiving. He shares what the family dealt with and how hope pushed them through the journey. He believes a good healthcare professional can make the caregiving journey easier. Read More

“I have been through something similar but I never recollected those days while caring for Pranay. You forget yourself also… my legs usually hurt a lot but that time the pain also vanished.”  – Poonam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXZxYQt54M   Arun and Poonam became primary caregivers to their son, Pranay, when he was suddenly diagnosed with lymphoma. The family did feel thrown aback, but after being assured by the doctors that it is a treatable condition,  a sense of hope filled them. As parents, Read More

“[Caregiver Saathi’s Support Group] was like my personal space… I never felt judged, I only felt pure acceptance… Don’t underestimate the power of a support group meeting” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-IKG9FbFiM Alisha has been a caregiver for 20 years. She looks back at the highs and lows, the criticism and advice that she came across through the journey. She talks about how the experience changes one’s life. She mentions how she wanted to feel ‘normal’ and needed a space to express her thoughts. She joined Caregiver Read More

“It felt like the whole world went dark, but as a caregiver I had to be brave to take care of my loved one.” [Translated] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEgqVJN1zEY When Saral’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, she was able to be his primary caregiver once she had overcome her initial fear and despair. Her family was very supportive, they kept her grounded through her emotional, physical and financial turmoil. She talks about the help family, friends and other well-wishers can offer. “Caregivers often don’t take Read More

“People have texted me… that [Caregiver Saathi’s] mantras that I share on WhatsApp help them. I feel so happy that something that has helped me is helping someone else too” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9IUCn8A9-A When Gayathri’s father was ill, she became his primary caregiver along with her mother. Never having realized what caregiver burnout is, she and her mother were battling with it. After a friend pointed it out, Gayathri did some research. She came across an effective solution of being part of Read More