National Family Caregivers Month is a good opportunity to give thanks

Thanksgiving makes November a special time of year, as we take a day to be with family and count our blessings. It’s doubly special for those of us in the rare disease community, because it’s also National Family Caregivers Month.

Caregivers come into our lives in many different ways. From family caregivers to home health aides, and from visiting nurses to friends and neighbors who give us a hand when they see a need, these folks are a blessing every day.

I’m thankful to have my wife, Wendy, and my daughter, Jill, as my primary caregivers. They take care of the basics for me every day, including preparing my meals, driving me to appointments, handling the bills, and countless other things. Without their help, I wouldn’t be able to stay in my home.

Recommended Reading

Nov. 9, 2026 Columns by Patrick Moeschen

Celebrating the family and friends who serve as unpaid caregivers

This year, the progression of my facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and painful joints from a devastating car accident in 1989 have stolen my ability to independently do most of the activities of daily living. In an effort to prevent Wendy and Jill from burning out, I now utilize services from Visiting Angels, a local home health care provider.

Barb and Claudia, my current home health aides, assist me with laundry, showering, toileting, meals, and much more on days when Wendy and Jill are out of the house. I could have added these tasks to what Wendy and Jill were already doing for me, but since they provide incredible care for me every day, I wanted to take care of them as much as I could.

When I began playing music during services at the First United Church of Christ in Millvale, Pennsylvania, in 2023, I made it clear to the music minister, Gary, that I’d need transportation for rehearsals. For the past three years, he’s been great about picking me up. My mobility has since become increasingly compromised, so Gary also has stepped in to help me with some of my nursing home performances, making it easier for me to continue to bring joy to people who really need it. I deeply appreciate Gary’s help and friendship.

I also have our next-door neighbors on speed dial. At times, Wendy and Jill might be out of the house for an hour or so. If anything happens when they’re gone and I need help quickly, I’m thankful that Mark and Kathy are just a phone call away. They’ll be over in a flash to help me. It’s great to have such good neighbors!

I also have friends from church who’ve made it their personal mission to help me in my struggle to be as independent as possible. Chuck and Kim have been on call this year to assist with changing door thresholds and making other adaptations to help me get around the house more independently.

I’m glad I overcame any fears I might’ve had about letting so-called strangers provide care for me. My home health aides have gone from being strangers to becoming friends that I count on for help.

I need more help than ever now, so it’s good to know there are people out there who will give generously of their time, talent, and strength to assist with things I can no longer do myself.

To all who give me a hand every day, or just occasionally, thank you for being a blessing to me. You’ve made a huge difference in my life. I’m truly grateful!

Note: Muscular Dystrophy News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Muscular Dystrophy News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to muscular dystrophy.