Peer support
Almost 6 million people in the US care for an ill or disabled partner
Chronic illness changes relationships. When spouses or partners transition to caregiver and patient roles, they often face the loss of that singular intimate relationship and the companionship it brings. Spousal caregivers spend more hours caregiving each week, doing more intense tasks, and with less outside assistance, than other types of caregivers. The financial impacts of caregiving are different for well spouses from other types of caregivers too - often the partner with illness and the caregiver must give up paid employment (at the same time that expenses increase due to medical costs). Caregiving for your wife, husband, or partner impacts the decision to have children, the way children are raised, and where and how one lives, works, and retires. There are few areas of life that are left untouched by the caregiver/patient role in partnered relationships. Well Spouse Association provides support and resources to people of all ages who care for partners with chronic illness or disability. We provide support whether you feel like a caregiver or not. We are an inclusive and welcoming community - no matter your age, partnership arrangement, sexuality, orientation, gender, or religious beliefs.

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The WSA is pleased and excited about a fundraising project one of our friends has undertaken. in 2010 Greg Henson, singer/songwriter, released "Pop Music", an album dedicated to raising funds for the Well Spouse Association and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Sample audio tracks
7. Something in the Air Tonight
8. Poor Lonely Joan

Henson, 53, of Fort Collins, CO, hadn't sung professionally in many years, though he had continued to play and write music for his own enjoyment.

During the last two years of his father's life, Greg spent hours by the elderly man's side, often playing and singing to take his mind off of the ravages of Parkinsons disease. He was heartbroken to see his fathers suffering, and deeply affected by the amount of care he required, much of it given by his stepmother, who was helped in her caregiving by her membership in the WSA.

After his fathers death in July of 2007, Henson was determined to do what he could to help others whose lives have been affected by Parkinsons and other chronic illnesses. So he recorded œPop Music,and has pledged to donate half the sales income from CD sales and Internet downloads equally to the two above-named organizations. Though he doesnt represent either The MJFF or the WSA in any way, he is highly impressed with the work both groups do.

The album itself is a highly polished, stylistically eclectic mix of largely acoustic music. Its been garnering an enthusiastic early response from listeners, including members of our staff, and as of April 14 is available on CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/GregHenson1 (for actual CD sales and digital downloads) and iTunes (for digital downloads only). It isl also available on Amazon, La La and numerous other Internet sites. Henson also has a Facebook page, where you can find more information about Greg and his CD.

We'd like to wish Greg--and ourselves--the best of success with "Pop Music". And we invite you to be a part of that success!

WSA addresses the unique challenges that well spouses face every day

Community

Learning that you are not alone

WSA's network of more than 25 monthly peer support groups and our online support groups connect you to others who understand what you're going through.

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Events

Creating opportunities to meet other members

We host a number of events each year for members, including webinars, respites , and our annual conference - to bring well spouses together.

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Resources

Sharing our stories

Our Mainstay newsletters give you a voice. We advocate for change with policymakers and share research opportunities with our members.

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"Some of the best advice for caregivers will come from other caregivers."

-New York Times

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