Beverley Ann D’Cruz, a resident of Brampton, Ontario, received a distressing call at 3 a.m. from her cousin in India informing her that her mother had suffered a stroke. Overwhelmed with emotion, Beverley rushed to Mumbai, leaving behind her newborn son for three weeks. Upon arrival, she found her mother in critical condition in the intensive care unit, while her father was battling stage four lung cancer. The situation left Beverley grappling with feelings of guilt, helplessness, and the fear of losing both parents.
Originally planning to bring her parents to Canada, Beverley’s life took a different turn when her father passed away due to cancer six months after her mother’s stroke. Facing the decision of caring for her mother alone in Canada or leaving her in India with a caregiver, Beverley chose to bring her mother to live with her in Brampton.
However, the caregiving journey was not as expected. Beverley’s mother resisted rehabilitation efforts, leading to a strain on Beverley as she juggled caregiving responsibilities with work and family commitments. The situation worsened when her mother broke her leg, intensifying the care required.
Struggling with conflicting emotions of anger, shame, and exhaustion, Beverley sought therapy to readjust her expectations and find a balance. By accepting her mother’s limitations and seeking external help, Beverley was able to alleviate some of the caregiving burden and focus on being present for her family.
Despite the challenges, Beverley learned to prioritize her family’s well-being and accept the realities of caregiving. She found solace in allowing her mother to make decisions and cherishing the moments shared with her son and partner. By acknowledging the need for assistance and self-care, Beverley navigated the complexities of caregiving with resilience and compassion.