Tag: Relationships

Ring the Bells

By Idelle Winer

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

—Leonard Cohen, “Anthem”

Remember the exaltation of discovering a new musician or poet? In July 2009, my husband Brian had that experience after watching a DVD of Leonard Cohen’s Live in London concert. Brian enjoyed a variety of music genres, ranging from rock music to Broadway musicals, but did not listen to Leonard Cohen. After viewing the DVD, however, Brian became Cohen’s biggest fan—he dubbed it the “religion of Lenny.” Brian even took the DVD to the ICU when he had his feeding tube placed in August 2009, discussing the meaning behind many of Cohen’s lyrics with the hospital’s rabbi and ICU nurses. Brian was hooked, listening religiously until the end of his life.

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Caregiver Confidential: Diagnosis and Denial

Today is the first post in a series on ALS caregiving by guest blogger, Idelle Winer.  Idelle will be sharing her journey as an ALS caregiver and asking you to share yours as well.

Are you the caregiver of a loved one with ALS? Just as the journey of every ALS patient is unique, so are the experiences of family members and caregivers. My name is Idelle, and I would like to share my journey, beginning with how I learned that my husband Brian had ALS.

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ALS Caregiving – Preserving Your Relationship with Your Partner

Illness, including ALS, can attack without warning and can happen to anyone. No two people with ALS are living in the same situation and no two ALS illness courses will exact the same toll. But all couples, where one partner is placed in the dual roles of loving partner and personal care provider, will experience the greatest test on a marriage and that of their commitment to it.  It is essential that couples continue to function as partners, and not become only patient and caregiver. Continue reading ALS Caregiving – Preserving Your Relationship with Your Partner