Having patience

One of the most tedious and time consuming factors about being a caregiver, are the many hours spent waiting in hospitals or clinics. I feel guilty sitting waiting for yet another test or to see one more doctor. However, I am always amazed at how unselfish and without a single word of complaint, my patient husband accompanies me to all my medical appointments. I'm sure he is sitting there thinking of all the things he should be doing, and understandably he would rather be elsewhere, but not once in all the years we've been together, has he ever uttered one word or made me feel uncomfortable. It is surprising how exhausting sitting doing nothing in countless waiting rooms can be for both of us. By the late afternoon, having been at the hospital since early morning, we leave; tired we finally wend our way  home.

I was impressed to see the new lifts ('elevator' for my American readers!) in our hospital, for they have done some renovations and the buttons to press are now on a horizontal panel low enough for anyone to reach sitting in a wheelchair. Simple thoughtful alterations can make such a difference to a disabled person giving one a feeling of independence. It's bad enough having to ask for help with so many things, and the frustrations that one can no longer do things that were once taken for granted. So although being able to press the desired button in the lift may sound a small thing, to someone who is wheelchair bound - it is quite significant.