Accepting Help:
Caregivers

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, October 14 and December 2, 2007
Show 422

For many care givers, asking for and accepting help is something they must learn how to do. Leeza and Dr. Jamie share Mai's story, a mother of four, who is also a care giver for her one-year-old son who has chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. "Having Samuel has been a big challenge. I'm trying to balance a hospital life, a home life and a work life," says Mai. When her son was first born, the family accepted some help, but has since declined many offers, not wanting to trouble anyone. "We just felt like it was our burden that we had to carry ourselves. And why should others have to carry it with us," says Mai. Dr. Jamie Huysman says this is a very common care giver dilemma. "We call it the caregiver cringe. And the caregiver cringe is when actually I have to ask for help instead of provide help," says Dr. Jamie. However, there's nothing wrong with accepting help when you need it.