Author: Michelle Terrill Heath

Andy was not a tyrant by nature but his illness made his continuous needs and requests of me feel tyrannical. When Andy’s abilities were being challenged and compromised by his disease, I was therehelping with everything as it came up. Unintentionally we became caught in […]

Our experiences have led us to explore various healing practices that not only supported Andy but also benefited me as his caregiver.  As a reluctant caregiver for my extremely disabled husband, Andy, for almost seven years, I experienced firsthand the intense demands and emotional toll […]

Dad is looking at our Mom’s face as she takes the photo. He is breathing with one transplanted new lung as he begins his new life. Last week, I shared what was entailed in writing my book, Your Wildest Dreams: A Parkinson’s Love Story. I […]

I write by hand on lined notepads and I happen to be left handed which I always considered to be a good omen. It wasn’t hard to write Your Wildest Dreams: A Parkinson’s Love Story, but it took a really long time and that could […]

Years ago, Andy and I sold something we called Spirit Lifters. They were small plaques for one’s wall or desk that we made with a decorative welded bronze mandala paired with a quote done in calligraphy.  One of the quotes we used was from Joseph […]

One of the amazing aspects I’ve experienced as a caregiver choosing honesty over being nice, is that honesty with a purpose leads us back to being nice. In a life without a chronic disease challenge and in relationships that don’t require a caregiver role, I […]