27/08/2026
To the Parent/Caregiver of a Person with a Disability Experiencing Guilt-
The what if’s tend to pile high for parents/caregivers of people with disabilities.
What if- I had just read with them more?
What if- I had just paid out of pocket for that therapy they didn’t qualify for?
What if- I should be doing more so their life can be…more?
What if- I didn’t do enough?
What if- I am not doing enough?
What if- I am not enough?
What if their struggles are my fault?
When the guilt makes our shoulders heavy, too heavy, may we remember that parenting/caregiving is only so difficult for the ones who care.
May we remember that parenting is the hardest job in the world to do well.
May we remember that there are even more layers of complexity when it comes to raising/caring for people with disabilities.
Because we are bringing up people in a world that is not built for them.
It is, at times, exhausting, overwhelming, isolating and confusing.
&
May we remember that the guilt we carry is only present because our love is so great.
We want the very best for them and have advocated in so many different ways.
Some of those endeavors have been successful and others not so much.
But we tried.
We are trying.
We keep trying.
Because we care. Because we love. Because they are worth the fight.
May we remember that we are in the ring for them so often.
& and may we remember to step out of the ropes for the battles we are not intended to fight.
May we not beat ourselves up in the process.
Because we need our strength.
&
We also need to rest.
Just like they need their strength & their rest, too..
Because life is not meant to be a constant self-improvement project.
We can push when we need to.
& we are allowed to just be.
May we find the balance of both pushing for change, for progress, for more
&
May we embrace what is, who they are, who we are too.
May we let this be enough.