Overview

Parenting a chronically-ill child, holding a family together, and taking care of oneself in the process is often an insurmountable task. As caregivers, you give and give, making life changing decisions for your children. Often, it's only your will and determination that makes the endless problems survivable. But you need care too. When her daughter was born with two liver diseases, Shirley's life was upended into a whirlwind of doctors and hospitals. In this book, she shares how she learned and applied tools for emotional survival. It takes courage to find peace. Shirley gives hope and understanding for other parents and caregivers of special children.

Full Product Details

9780990536123

Table of Contents

Reviews

Must read for any parent coping with their child's serious illness. Provides critical insights for maintaining continued hope and resilience. A true story about a remarkable woman. I recommend it to all my patients struggling with chronic illness. - Susan Taterka, MSW, LICSW, ACSW A wonderful guide for one of the most difficult roads in life's journey. Shirley Riga's courage and openness in the face of these challenges is contagious, and her hard won advice will help other parents cope with similar difficulties. The emphasis on taking care of one's self in the midst of it all is a timeless and important lesson for all caregivers. - Karen Osborn, author and parent of a chronically-ill child Tools for the Exceptional Parent of a Chronically Ill Child is a guide for parents of children living with serious illness not only addressing medical challenges, but also offering pathways for the protection of the person who is suffering. Living with an ill child is a huge burden, and often not adequately shared by partners, family or friends. I was deeply affected by this book, and you will be as well. - Richard J. Grand, MD, Boston Children's Hospital It is truly healing for others who know the roller-coaster of emotions and have travelled even a short parallel path. Many obstacles along the author's difficult path force her to find help and make tools to forge ahead. She stumbles and falls. Reading along, I stumble onto nuggets about acceptance and forgiveness. For the first time since my sister's illness and death, I can breathe deeply. This incredible journey, told from the heart, offers strength and comfort. Riga has taken her own great pain and transformed it into comfort for others. What a beautiful gift! Carol Luck, author of Heroines of the Kitchen Table: Stories of Survivors I just finished the book and I haven't been able to stop crying. So many mixed emotions. I'm angry, sad, heartbroken and happy all at the same time. You're the real fighter in this story. Anonymous parent

Author Information

Shirley Riga has been living her spiritual path. She is a Certified Psychosynthesis Counselor and a sound healer. She created the OUR CARE Support Group for parents and caregivers of chronically-ill and special needs children. As a single parent raising two daughters, she was a court reporter for 25 years. Shirley is licensed to offer Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway(R) workshops in the Boston area.

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