Allison and Justin discuss how the unusual circumstances of this holiday season may better allow our families’ needs to be met and how this year can be used to reimagine what family gatherings can look like in the future.

Allison and Justin talk about how Covid has impacted their households recently and how the toll and stress of waiting doesn't end when we get good news. They also follow up on toxic positivity.

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month, and to celebrate we're giving away one of Allison's new Caregiver Gift Boxes. We'll pick a winner at the end of November. Click here to enter!

Allison's piece on waiting.

Allison and Justin talk about how toxic positivity is used by and towards caregivers, and can lead to feelings of being dismissed and unheard. They share ideas of how to share and hear hard things without always going to the bright side.

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month, and to celebrate we're giving away one of Allison's new Caregiver Gift Boxes. We'll pick a winner at the end of November. Click here to enter!

Allison and Justin talk about the extra challenges they face as caregivers of people who live with rare conditions, including education of family members, friends, and medical staff. Also, Allison got a puppy.

Allison and Justin talk about how friends and family have shown up to support them throughout their caregiving journey. They offer advice to supporters for ways to provide support and give some suggestions to those caregivers who are lacking support.

Allison and Justin talk about how caregivers need community care in order to practice self care, how they each practice acts of micro-care throughout the day, and what supporters can do and say instead of, “Are you taking care of yourself?”

Allison and Justin talk about the challenges and stresses of working full time jobs while caring for their spouses. They discuss what their employers have done to support them, how they advocate for themselves at work, and just how hard it is to balance it all.

Justin and Allison talk about the pressure of being the person who sees the complete picture of their spouse’s health and feeling overwhelmed because they can’t just rely on the doctors, but need to be their own medical researchers.

Justin and Allison describe all that goes into making appointments happen, from logistics to advocacy to the hangover in the days that follow and how, in the medical setting, they’re never able to “just” be a spouse.

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Q&A with Maya

Allison and Justin talk about the sweet moments of solidarity in March when the world got a taste of what it feels like to be homebound and conscious of germs and what it is like now as parts of society move on, leaving their families behind.