My caregiver training started early in life, extended through the 44 years after Eileen was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis, and did not end until her death in 2001. At home, I provided full care to her, planned and thought ahead, but always was willing to sacrifice my personal freedom, and to suffer frequent heartbreak. As a caregiver I received a lifetime of gratitude from Eileen, to give me satisfaction of having successfully met her daily MS demands.
The early training I received in childhood coincided with the years of the Great Depression, from the late 1920's, through the 1930's , and the first years of the 1940's. During that time I had the least possible financial assistance from anybody, yet I became an unpaid electrician, plumber, carpenter, auto repairer...a Mr. Fixit for the entire Fenley family.
The four years I served in the US Army were very pleasant, advancing from private to major, in an endless procession of challenging but interesting extra duties, in addition to my regular ones. These I describe as my lucky Army breaks.
I have bared my soul. Happy reading!
