Known since childhood as “The Elliott Girls” or simply, “The Girls”, it makes sense that we work together to support our mother, and each other. Our trio begins with Jenefer Jane “JJ” who was and always will be “in charge”. She’s the peacekeeper. The responsible one, ensuring Natalie and Emilie remain alive. Next is Natalie, the middle child, who was and always will be Miss Congeniality. She’s the athlete. The rebel responsible for three babysitters exiting the summer of ’84. Then there is Emilie, the youngest, who was and always will be “the baby”. At 6’1”, she is the sensitive and quiet soul. The one responsible for the guinea pig that begged for lettuce and the stray dog we adopted from the bus stop.
After high school we went separate ways, from New Mexico to North Carolina. JJ would go on to get her Master’s in Business Administration and work in the Finance world before partnering with her now husband, Dexter, to run a variety of businesses. Natalie would go on to get her Master’s in Social Work degree, and work in the Mental Health field, advocating for children and families to receive the most appropriate services. Natalie would marry and divorce early on but later marry Jason. Emilie would exit college early to marry and gift us with Owen and twins, Maxx and Natalie Jane aka “The Kids”. Emilie would later divorce and work with county government, focusing much time on caring for the kids.
The source of the sisterhood falls to Jim aka “Big Jim” and Connie, small town high school sweethearts married for almost 40 years.
In 2005, at the age of 52, mom would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She hid the disease for years behind dad’s 6’2” frame. The tremors and sudden inability to move were both calmed and steadied by his arm and simple presence. He was her rock. Our rock. Close family and friends knew of her chronic illness, but to the rest of the world, everything was “fine”. Life would turn upside down when our dad unexpectedly passed in 2011 of a massive heart attack at the age of 58. The assumption was Dad would always be mom’s caregiver but that wasn’t God’s plan.
Mom would spend the years following our father’s death desperately seeking a cure for Parkinson’s while trying to manage her symptoms. As the years went by, the cruel symptoms associated with the disease increased, negatively impacting her body while her mind remained clear and in tune. We lived our lives checking in to make sure she was “okay” but knowing the day would come when we had to do more. And then it did. The summer of 2019 changed everything. That’s where the real caregiver story begins for us. Little did we know she would be only the beginning of our Caregiving journey.
In March 2022, Natalie’s husband, Jason, was diagnosed with head and neck Cancer. From the first time Jason detected something off about the swollen lymph nodes in his neck, to the formal diagnosis, and the decision to move to New York City to participate in a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the journey would push them to their limits. The silver lining of his diagnosis was the cancer brought them closer to God, restoring their faith in Him while also experiencing a myriad of blessings through the kindness of family, friends, and strangers. Their story is a testimony that will inspire and offer hope.
Recent Content
Crystal Lane's story is one of faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to supporting her husband, JP, a retired Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanista…
Crystal Lane's …
Crystal Lane's story is one of faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to supporting her husband, JP, a retired Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Despite their challenges, Crystal and JP's journey is a testament to the power of love and determination.At just 22 years old, Crystal met JP at a gym in San Antonio, where he was recovering from his injuries. Drawn to his courage and faith, Crystal quickly realized JP was the one for her, and within six months, the couple had married. However, transitioning into the caregiver role was dif…
Crystal Lane's story is one of faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to supporting her husband, JP, a retired Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. De…
Crystal Lane's story…
Crystal Lane's story is one of faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to supporting her husband, JP, a retired Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Despite their challenges, Crystal and JP's journey is a testament to the power of love and determination.At just 22 years old, Crystal met JP at a gym in San Antonio, where he was recovering from his injuries. Drawn to his courage and faith, Crystal quickly realized JP was the one for her, and within six months, the couple had married. However, transitioning into the caregiver role was difficult, …
Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Rosalynn Carter Institute promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers at every stage of their journey. As Mandy Barr, a ca…
Established in 1987 …
Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Rosalynn Carter Institute promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers at every stage of their journey. As Mandy Barr, a caregiver coach and engagement specialist at the Institute, eloquently explained, the organization is dedicated to supporting caregivers from all backgrounds—whether they are military, veteran, or civilian families.One of the standout aspects of the Rosalynn Carter Institute's approach is its focus on addressing the complexities and nuances of caregiving. Through research-backed programs and …
Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Rosalynn Carter Institute promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers at every stage of their journey. As Mandy Barr, a ca…
Established in 1987 …
Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Rosalynn Carter Institute promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers at every stage of their journey. As Mandy Barr, a caregiver coach and engagement specialist at the Institute, eloquently explained, the organization is dedicated to supporting caregivers from all backgrounds—whether they are military, veteran, or civilian families.One of the standout aspects of the Rosalynn Carter Institute's approach is its focus on addressing the complexities and nuances of caregiving. Through research-backed programs and res…
As a senior Navy Chaplain, Bob Evan's calling has always been to serve and care for others, whether it was his troops, fellow service members, or the wounded warriors he encountered. When his fiancée…
As a senior Navy Cha…
As a senior Navy Chaplain, Bob Evan's calling has always been to serve and care for others, whether it was his troops, fellow service members, or the wounded warriors he encountered. When his fiancée, Gretchen, was severely injured by a mortar round in Afghanistan, Bob's role shifted from chaplain to devoted caregiver.Despite his extensive training and experience as a pastoral counselor, Bob candidly admits that he struggled at times to provide the proper support and care for Gretchen as she navigated life-changing injuries, including deafness. However, Bob's unwavering love and commitment …
As a senior Navy Chaplain, Bob Evan's calling has always been to serve and care for others, whether it was his troops, fellow service members, or the wounded warriors he encountered. When his fia…
As a senior Navy Cha…
As a senior Navy Chaplain, Bob Evan's calling has always been to serve and care for others, whether it was his troops, fellow service members, or the wounded warriors he encountered. When his fiancée, Gretchen, was severely injured by a mortar round in Afghanistan, Bob's role shifted from chaplain to devoted caregiver.Despite his extensive training and experience as a pastoral counselor, Bob candidly admits that he struggled at times to provide the proper support and care for Gretchen as she navigated life-changing injuries, including deafness. However, Bob's unwavering love an…
This week, our episode highlights the vital work of PsychArmor, an organization dedicated to transforming how society engages with veterans and service members. Led by Dr. Tina Atherall, PsychArmor&ap…
This week, our episo…
This week, our episode highlights the vital work of PsychArmor, an organization dedicated to transforming how society engages with veterans and service members. Led by Dr. Tina Atherall, PsychArmor's mission is to provide Education, training, and resources to both the military community and the individuals and organizations that support them.We talk about the growing need for caregiver support, with recent studies showing a significant increase in active-duty, veteran, and civilian caregivers. Tina emphasizes PsychArmor's unique approach of serving two key audiences - the military an…
This week's educational episode highlights the vital work of PsychArmor, an organization dedicated to transforming society's engagement with veterans and service members. Led by Dr. Tina Atherall, Psy…
This week's educatio…
This week's educational episode highlights the vital work of PsychArmor, an organization dedicated to transforming society's engagement with veterans and service members. Led by Dr. Tina Atherall, PsychArmor's mission is to provide education, training, and resources to both the military community and the individuals and organizations that support it.We discuss the growing need for caregiver support, with recent studies showing a significant increase in active-duty, veteran, and civilian caregivers. Tina emphasizes PsychArmor's unique approach of serving two key audiences—the military and v…
Qwynn Galloway-Salazar is the heart and soul of this week’s Heroes Caring for Heroes episode. As an Army veteran, end-of-life doula, and the founder of In Their Honor, Qwynn has dedicated over two d…
Qwynn Galloway-Salaz…
Qwynn Galloway-Salazar is the heart and soul of this week’s Heroes Caring for Heroes episode. As an Army veteran, end-of-life doula, and the founder of In Their Honor, Qwynn has dedicated over two decades to elevating the quality of life for military, veteran, and caregiving communities. Her personal journey, however, took an unexpected turn when her husband, Jose, a retired combat veteran and law enforcement officer, faced a major medical emergency.Qwynn found herself thrust into a new role - that of a caregiver. Despite her extensive experience and expertise, Qwynn struggled to reconcile h…
This week’s special educational episode shines a spotlight on the incredible work being done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support caregivers, families, and survivors of veteran…
This week’s specia…
This week’s special educational episode shines a spotlight on the incredible work being done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support caregivers, families, and survivors of veterans. In this educational episode, Maureen Elias, a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Benefits at the VA, provides a comprehensive overview of the vast array of benefits and programs available through the Veterans Benefits Administration.Elias expertly navigates the three key buckets of VA support - caregiver benefits, family benefits, and survivor services. From healthcare and respite care…
This week’s special educational episode shines a spotlight on the incredible work being done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support caregivers, families, and survivors of veteran…
This week’s specia…
This week’s special educational episode shines a spotlight on the incredible work being done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support caregivers, families, and survivors of veterans. In this educational episode, Maureen Elias, a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Benefits at the VA, provides a comprehensive overview of the vast array of benefits and programs available through the Veterans Benefits Administration.Elias expertly navigates the three key buckets of VA support - caregiver benefits, family benefits, and survivor services. From healthcare and respite care t…
Angelena Taylor's caregiving journey began quite unexpectedly at the age of 28 when her father, Benjamin, experienced a Stroke. This event marked the start of her role as a caregiver, which she t…
Angelena Taylor&apos…
Angelena Taylor's caregiving journey began quite unexpectedly at the age of 28 when her father, Benjamin, experienced a stroke. This event marked the start of her role as a caregiver, which she took on with dedication and focus. As a daughter and military caregiver, Angelena balanced her responsibilities with her Miss USA World Universal Ambassador title, using each role to support the other.Early on, Angelena faced skepticism from medical professionals who doubted her capability. However, she quickly proved them wrong by advocating strongly for her father's care, ensuring he receive…
Lori Rogers shares her powerful journey as the caregiver of her 33-year-old son, Craig, who was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old. When Craig was first diagnosed in 1993, Lori and her husband Nei…
Lori Rogers shares h…
Lori Rogers shares her powerful journey as the caregiver of her 33-year-old son, Craig, who was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old. When Craig was first diagnosed in 1993, Lori and her husband Neil dove headfirst into supporting him, trying various therapies, diets, and interventions to help him. Despite the challenges, they refused to live in victimhood and instead focused on hope and finding ways to help Craig and their family.Lori also founded a nonprofit called Parents Assisting Special Educators (PACE) to support their community's special education programs and teachers. PACE laste…
Lori Rogers shares her powerful journey as the caregiver of her 33-year-old son, Craig, who was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old. When Craig was first diagnosed in 1993, Lori and her husband Nei…
Lori Rogers shares h…
Lori Rogers shares her powerful journey as the caregiver of her 33-year-old son, Craig, who was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old. When Craig was first diagnosed in 1993, Lori and her husband Neil dove headfirst into supporting him, trying various therapies, diets, and interventions to help him. Despite the challenges, they refused to live in victimhood and instead focused on hope and finding ways to help Craig and their family. Lori also founded a nonprofit called Parents Assisting Special Educators (PACE) to support their community's special education programs and teachers. PACE l…
Subscriber-only episodeConfessions of a Reluctant Caregiver Sisterhood of Care, LLC Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com Like us on Facebook! Tweet with us on Twitter! Follow us on Insta…
Subscriber-only epis…
Subscriber-only episodeConfessions of a Reluctant Caregiver Sisterhood of Care, LLC Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com Like us on Facebook! Tweet with us on Twitter! Follow us on Instagram! Watch us on Youtube! Pin us on Pinterest! Link us on LinkedIn!Tune in on Whole Care Network
Susie Singer Carter shares the story of caring for her mother, Norma, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 16 years before her passing. Susie describes how she was the first to notice the signs of Alzhe…
Susie Singer Carter …
Susie Singer Carter shares the story of caring for her mother, Norma, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 16 years before her passing. Susie describes how she was the first to notice the signs of Alzheimer's, even as her family dismissed her concerns.As Susie navigates her mother's declining health, she also faces personal challenges, including going through a divorce. Susie brought her mother to live with her, which impacted her teenage daughter. However, Susie was determined to provide the best care for her mother, even as she struggled to balance her career and caregiving responsibilities…
Susie Singer Carter shares the story of caring for her mother, Norma, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 16 years before her passing. Susie describes how she was the first to notice the signs of …
Susie Singer Carter …
Susie Singer Carter shares the story of caring for her mother, Norma, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 16 years before her passing. Susie describes how she was the first to notice the signs of Alzheimer's, even as her family dismissed her concerns. As Susie navigates her mother's declining health, she also faces personal challenges, including going through a divorce. Susie brought her mother to live with her, which impacted her teenage daughter. However, Susie was determined to provide the best care for her mother, even as she struggled to balance her career and caregiving re…
Wendy Adams shares her powerful story of becoming a caregiver for her mother. Wendy's mother is initially diagnosed with a large mass entangled around her pancreas, liver, and stomach. As Wendy lives …
Wendy Adams shares h…
Wendy Adams shares her powerful story of becoming a caregiver for her mother. Wendy's mother is initially diagnosed with a large mass entangled around her pancreas, liver, and stomach. As Wendy lives in Virginia and her mother is in Florida, this turns Wendy's planned 4-week visit into an ongoing 11-month caregiving journey. Wendy speaks about the difficulty of long-distance caregiving and the strain it puts on her Relationships, as some friends and family are unable to provide the support she needs during this challenging time.Wendy also discusses the emotional rollercoaster of watching her…