Actress Honors Mother By Becoming Her Full-Time Caregiver
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress, dancer and choreographer Brandee Evans recently shared her experience as a full-time caregiver.
Shortly after graduating from college, Evans’ mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“All of a sudden, [my mother] couldn’t walk anymore,” she explained. “This woman who did everything on her own—she had her own place, drove her own car—all of that stopped.”
Evans shared her advice for those who are working as a caregiver, from new mindsets to handling the costs of medical procedures.
Her first piece of advice? Accepting the situation.
“To me, my momma was always Superwoman, you know?” Evans explained. “I wasn’t believing that she was as tired as she said she was, and it took me a while to understand that her symptoms were going to get worse, not better.”
She also spoke about raising money for her mother’s care, including starting a GoFundMe page and looking for advice from nurses, online support groups, and fellow caregivers.
Evans works hard as an advocate for those with MS and other caregivers, sharing her daily routine online.
“I just didn’t see anyone who looked like my mother when people were talking about MS,” she explained. “And I want to change that.”
She continued, “I can tell someone what the day-to-day challenges of being a caregiver are, but I want to show people, to normalize it. This is what it looks like.”
Evans shared that another important thing that many overlook is self-care for caregivers.
“I felt guilty about doing things that weren’t work-related,” she explained. “I had to get out of my own head and say that didn’t make me a bad daughter to do things that don’t involve Momma. It’s normal to feel that way.”
She continued, “I wasn’t ready [to be a caregiver]. I just want to share that with others, to let them know that you’re not alone if you feel you’re not ready. If you feel that this is confusing and hard, and it’s difficult to understand, it’s normal. There is support out there, so reach out and get the support you need to be the best caregiver you can and to take good care of yourself.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
