Sunrise Sunset – a Column by Jaime Christmas

persevering, stronger

Jaime is a caregiver to her husband who is afflicted with the hereditary ATTR amyloidosis disease. Since his 2013 diagnosis, Jaime’s experience dealing with the effects of the disease on her husband and family have seen her go through many challenges in her vital role as caregiver. She’s required constant personal growth and flexibility to be successful in this complex, demanding, and stressful role. She is also the CEO and founder of the New Zealand Amyloidosis Patient Association, a not-for-profit charity formed in 2019 to promote and advocate for education, awareness, and treatment for patients and their families in New Zealand. Join her on this journey as she shares on the importance of being a caregiver, the role’s demands, how she’s risen above it all, and how everyone can do their part to ensure better outcomes for both the patient and caregiver’s health and well-being.

Learning to face a new year without my husband

In the blink of an eye, we’re already approaching the third month of 2023. For me, the ushering in of a new year came with poignancy and a new aspiration to do better as I move forward into a future without a beloved family member. My husband, Aubrey, passed…

How We Navigated My Late Husband’s Amyloidosis Diagnosis

I have previously written about the importance of staying positive despite our circumstances. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver to a loved one with a chronic illness, keeping yourself above the waterline to avoid drowning in your circumstances is essential. As the legendary basketball player Michael…