“Caring for the Caregiver”

    At RavenCareWear, we not only see the disabled and special needs, but we also see the caregiver. My cousin and Founder, GG, and I know and understand the caregiver journey because we have lived it. We are you. GG and I are first cousins, the daughters of identical twins. We have a lot in common because we share the same DNA, but we also have a lot in common outside of that. We have spent a significant portion of our lives as caregivers and, at times, giving care to more than one person at a time.

    GG cared for her special needs daughter, Raven, for 27 years, the last of which overlapped with caring for her dad, who had been diagnosed with cancer. After Raven passed, her mom's health started to decline, so she took care of both parents. After her dad passed away, her mom's health quickly began to deteriorate, and she moved in and cared for her until the end.

   I cared for a special needs loved one for 22 years, and 12 of those years overlapped with caring for my husband, who was critically ill with congestive heart failure. He lived with an LVAD for five and half years until he received heart and kidney transplants.

   So, here at RavenCareWear, our purpose is twofold: designing t-shirts that will be a voice for the special needs and disabled community and for those who love them and creating a place where you can feel free to open up and share your stories and feelings about your journey as a caregiver. Check us out on Instagram and Facebook for more caregiver videos and product information.

RavenCareWear 

      CAREGIVERS CORNER

     "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your crooked roads straight."

                              Proverbs 3:5-6

   September is typically the time that people start thinking about new beginnings. Summer’s over, we’re ready to stop sweating and start enjoying some cooler Fall temperatures. We’re ready for something new. As caregivers, you should take this time to reflect on the year so far and set goals for the upcoming months if necessary. Use this time to prepare for challenges ahead and ensure that the needs of your loved one are met with care and compassion. Don’t forget to reassess your personal aspirations and count your blessings. 

   To help with your assessment and goal setting, click here for the AARP Family Caregiving Guide. Although the guide states “caring for older adults,” the same ideas apply when caring for individuals with special needs and disabilities. The guide offers five key steps for your caregiving journey, general needs assessment, and a simple goal and needs checklist.