No Respite for the Weary

Come senators, congressmen
 Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway,
Don't block up the hall....

The times they are a'changin' - Bob Dylan

Boy, the old Yogi Berra saying rings true nowhere greater than in D.C.  You know the one that goes, "It ain't over 'til it's over".  Or as another of my favorite Muses, Michael Corleone, has been known to say "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in".  Or even, reflecting back to what little I remember about the Sixties, (don't ask) "When will they ever learn?" (Peter, Paul and Mary, for all you kids out there).   

 I, of course am referring to the inch by inch battle that the good folks at the Lifetime Respite Coalition are fighting on our behalf.  After years of walking the halls of Congress, they were able to help craft legislation that actually made its way onto the President's desk to be signed into law late last year. Phew, you think these good folks could actually get some respite themselves after all their fine work. Hah! The funny thing about a law is that it still needs to be funded.  Which, is unfortunately where as they say, "the wheels are in danger of coming off the wagon." and where we once again need your help - quick. 

I know that everyone reading this column understands the value of respite to family caregivers, our loved ones and our communities.  Now, we need to let our elected representatives understand that we, the electorate (um, their bosses) want them to take action on this vital issue.  Please click on the link below, read the message from Jill Kagan and help get the money flowing to something of value in Washington. Now that would be music to my ears.

"We've come a long way, baby" (all right, I'll stop).  But seriously, twelve years ago next week, when we released the first issue of Today's Caregiver magazine,  you'd be hard pressed to find someone who knew what respite was, now it is a law.  A soon to be funded law.  The times they are certainly a'changin.   

Help Fund Lifespan Respite

Take care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
 

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