Being an adult child managing the care of a parent who used to manage you can be tricky. When the roles of patient and caregiver don't match up well with traditional parent-child roles, the landscape can quickly become an emotional minefield. But caregivers can become experts at navigating those minefields and defusing potential tensions.
Hilary Itoh's mother, Nancy, was diagnosed with MS in 1980, and Hilary took on her first caregiving responsibilities at the age of 9. Since 2010, Hillary's mom has lived under the same roof with Hilary, Hilary's husband, Gene, and their three children.
Dawnia Baynes' father, Gary, is living with progressive MS in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Dawnia lives 2,500 miles away in Southern California. But Dawnia doesn't let distance get in the way of her very active role as her father's caregiver. And, by the way, Dawnia is also living with MS.