Sunrise Sunset — Jaime Christmas

Today, I’d like to talk about caregiver burnout, which extends beyond the physical burnout of completing various caregiving tasks. It also entails more than feeling helpless when a caregiver is unable to meet…

In my role as a leader of the New Zealand Amyloidosis Patients Association, I’ve had the privilege of forging relationships with many wonderful human beings. The people I’ve met while running this charity,…

No matter what you’re going through or where you are, know you are not alone. Suffering from a rare illness like hereditary ATTR amyloidosis (hATTR) is filled with daily challenges, and no two days…

If you are a fresh set of eyes and have newly stumbled onto my column, welcome to the world of an amyloidosis caregiver. My husband was diagnosed in 2013 with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis…

I was in the car with my daughters earlier today, and as we turned onto a busy street, we saw cars already lining up to beat rush hour. It was one of the few…

Lately I’ve had to remind my husband that he is not his disease. Aubrey was diagnosed in 2013 with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, and after eight years, his impairment has become evident to those…

By the time this column is published, nearly two weeks will have passed since the kick-off of the two-day New Zealand Patients, Carers & Healthcare Practitioners Amyloidosis Conference. I helped organize this important event,…

I often write about the challenges I face as a carer to a spouse afflicted with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. I highlight the heavy impact this disease has had on me as well as…

I count myself very fortunate to be in a position where I can speak to readers. Every week I sit at my desk, and in the stillness of the day, while the household is…

Our amyloidosis patient association here in New Zealand often holds routine catch-up sessions with the patients and carers that we support. I am a firm believer that mental health is a key aspect…

I will always remember May 12 as a special day. That’s because last week, I spent that day with my daughter doing something close to our hearts. We woke up that morning and prepared…

It has been a week since my husband, Aubrey, and I received our first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. We feel fortunate to have this opportunity as New Zealand’s Ministry of Health continues…