#45 The Mental Load of Love: Understanding Caregiver Families

Scuderis and the Mussers share their personal experiences caring for their children, Evelyn and Izzy, who live with life-limiting conditions.

They discuss the significant emotional impact caregiving has on their relationships, socialization, and the mental load they carry daily. The families touch upon the challenges they face in maintaining friendships and family dynamics, the secondary suffering of those around them, and the importance of open communication.

They also highlight the difficulty in articulating the relentless emotional labor of caregiving to those who haven't lived it, contributing to an empathy gap. The episode is an invitation to foster understanding of the caregiving experience, emphasizing the need for communities that comprehend the complexities involved and the importance of individual identity beyond caregiving roles. Through their stories, the Scuderis and Mussers shed light on the resilience, courage, and strength of caregiver families.

If we can serve your family during this season, please email us support@abelspeaks.org or visit our website (www.abelspeaks.org).