My Nonprofit Reviews
Terri
Review for Well Spouse Association, Freehold, NJ, USA
Right after my marriage 10 years ago, my husband developed a neurodegenerative condition which by now has rendered him physically and mentally disabled in almost every way. The marriage has been a very sad, very difficult one for me; but I love my husband and want to care for him at home. The Well Spouse Association has made all the difference to me since I joined about 4 years ago. I no longer feel alone and isolated from the world, as I have made so many friends from our local support group who share and understand my horrific challenges. Well Spouse has also given me an outlet for expression in articles I write for their newsletter and website. As a Board member, I feel like I am a contributing member of society, even though I am unable to work because of my husband's care needs.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my increased ability to cope with my husband's devastating chronic illness, through my Well Spouse friendships and the volunteer I do for Well Spouse.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not be a caregiver, because I would not be able to run an org. and also meet the exhausting demands of my husband's care.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
making so many new friends who are facing the same long-term daily challenges that I face in spousal caregiving; sometimes we can even laugh together!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
warm, welcoming, and so easy to talk to and become friends with.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
hire staff to reach out to spousal caregivers and offer more support groups, more helpful literature, more respite events, and financial assistance to spousal caregivers devastated by the costs of long-term illness.
Ways to make it better...
no "ifs" - it has been a truly lifesaving and sanity-saving experience.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of funds to hire paid staff - we are all volunteers while we are caregivers, and none of us can give our all to Well Spouse as we struggle with our own physical and financial burdens.
One thing I'd also say is that...
spousal caregiving can be fatal - caregivers have literally dropped dead from the constant stress. Our medical and social systems do NOT offer support to spousal caregivers; thus Well Spouse is ESSENTIAL.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
