Introduction
Being a caregiver is an arduous job, requiring many resources and sufficient mental effort. In his deeply personal work, Silent Struggler, Glenn Mollette recounts his experience of caring for his spouse afflicted with multiple sclerosis. Such decease can render a person completely reliable on others, and the author reveals how it changed numerous aspects of their lives. This paper will analyze Silent Struggler and highlight some of the important points made by Mollette.
Main body
Upon hearing the word “caregiver,” one might imagine a job that probably pays well, but, for some people, it is a full-time duty towards a family member. Such is the case of Mollette, who attends his wife with a progressive disease that has no cure (Mollette, 2000). The issue of payment exists, but it is the author’s family that has to spend money on equipment and out-of-family caregivers (Mollette, 2000). Silent Struggler reveals a glaring problem of healthcare’s quality and ethics, as the spouse would get more benefits after a divorce (Mollette, 2000). However, despite its significance, the financial side might not be the most challenging part of caregiving.
Once a person contracts a severe disease, the family’s life changes considerably. Mollette (2000) describes the updates to such spheres as traveling, housing, shopping, and others. Eventually, the tasks previously performed by the person who receives care have to be performed by caregivers. What is essential for that transfer is trust and patience, as it may be impossible to buy the right thing at the first try, for example (Mollette, 2000). Those virtues permeate the whole relationship with a care receiver, which is no longer a plain spousal one. However, it is also right for one to complain about the sudden role (Mollette, 2000). Ultimately, a caregiver is a person who wishes best for people, and their eagerness to make changes and concessions deserves appreciation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper analyzed some points concerning caregiving from Glenn Mollette’s Silent Struggler. The title is apt, as the caregiver is indeed silent, keeping many frustrations to themselves and remaining patient to improve the life of the one requiring care. There are also many struggles along the way, including getting accustomed to the new lifestyle and losing what was precious, but mutual trust and compassion may help overcome them.
Reference
Mollette, G. (2000). Silent struggler: A caregiver’s personal story. Inspiration Press.