Celebrating Caregiver’s Month!
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the amazing people who give their time and energy to care for others.
Many caregivers work full-time jobs while also supporting a loved one living with peripheral neuropathy. Their kindness and dedication make a big difference every day. This month, we want to thank them and remind everyone how important it is to care for the caregiver, too.
Caregiver voices webinar
On November 13 the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (FPN) teamed up with the GBS|CIDP Foundation to provide an empowering caregiver panel discussion: Caregiver voices, which helped spotlight the vital role caregivers play in supporting their loved ones.
The conversation was hosted by Dr. Albert Freedman, a clinical psychologist who has worked extensively with individuals and families affected by rare and chronic conditions. With decades of experience supporting patients and caregivers through the emotional and practical challenges of illness, Dr. Freedman was a caregiver to his son who lived with Spinal Muscular Atrophy for 26 years. He was therefore able to bring both professional expertise and compassionate insight into this important discussion.
The program was moderated by Kelly McCoy, Director of Patient Engagement at the GBS|CIDP Foundation, and our very own Amanda Homscheid, Program Manager at FPN. The session also featured panelists from each organization:
- Charisma, a patient living with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
- Paula, a cancer survivor living with PN, and her husband, Marc, and daughter, Kate. Paula’s PN was initially caused by chemotherapy, and more recently it’s been determined she has both small and large fiber neuropathy.
Our discussion included many honest and heartfelt stories. Caregivers talked about the feelings, challenges, and small victories that come with supporting someone they love. They also shared simple, helpful tips for staying strong during tough times. As Dr. Freedman said during the event, “It’s traumatic to find ourselves in this club we didn’t want to join.” His words reminded us that caregiving is often unexpected, but caregivers show great courage and kindness every day.
Watch the Caregiver Voices webinar here!
As we reflect on the many ways people support loved ones living with peripheral neuropathy, it’s helpful to think about the difference between being a caregiver and a care partner.
Caregivers vs. care partners
While a caregiver provides help and assistance, a care partner focuses on working with their loved one. This shift from doing for to doing with can make care feel more balanced and empowering. It allows both people to stay involved, connected, and engaged in daily life.
Even small moments of teamwork such as preparing a meal together, sharing a walk, or talking through decisions can strengthen that sense of partnership. And just as important, care partners need to take time to care for themselves, finding rest and joy along the way.
This approach reminds us that care isn’t one-sided. It’s a shared journey built on patience, respect, clear communication and mutual support.
How do we care for the caregiver?
The Administration for Community Living highlights that across the nation, millions of parents, partners, spouses, adult and minor children, friends, and neighbors provide billions of dollars in unpaid assistance and support each year to individuals of all ages with chronic or other health conditions, disabilities, and functional limitations, including PN. Their tremendous sacrifices of time, energy, and financial support enable people receiving support to maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life. Their stories are a testament to the complex and demanding responsibilities that caregivers take on, often with no training and little formal recognition or acknowledgement.
Watch the Administration for Community Living’s video: Faces of caregiving
We want to thank all the care partners in our FPN community, we see you, and we appreciate you! A positive network for anyone living with peripheral neuropathy benefits not just the person affected, but their entire family. We hope you feel celebrated not only this month, but always!
At-home research study for chemo-induced PN involving caregivers (Nov 2025)
Mayo Clinic is looking for adults who have moderate to severe chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy to join a research study. The goal of the study is to see if a simple massage technique, done by a family caregiver, can help people with this type of nerve pain. Learn more about the study here.
