| I have
the right... |
to take
care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness.
It will give me the capability of taking better
care of my relative.
|
| I have
the right... |
to seek
help from others even though my relatives may
object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance
and strength.
|
| I have
the right... |
to
maintain facets of my own life that do not include
the person I care for, just as I would if he or
she were healthy. I know that I do everything that
I reasonably can for this person, and I have the
right to do some things just for myself.
|
| I have
the right... |
to get
angry, be depressed, and express other difficult
feelings occasionally.
|
| I have
the right... |
to reject
any attempts by my relative (either conscious or
unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt and/or
depression.
|
| I have
the right... |
to receive
consideration, affection, forgiveness, and
acceptance from my loved one for what I do, for as
long as I offer these qualities in return.
|
| I have
the right... |
to take
pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud
the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the
needs of my relative.
|
| I have
the right... |
to protect
my individuality and my right to make a life for
myself that will sustain me in the time when my
relative no longer needs my full-time help.
|
| I have
the right... |
to expect
and demand that as new strides are made in finding
resources to aid physically and mentally impaired
persons in our country, similar strides will be
made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.
Author Unknown |
