Caregiving: My Story, Your Guide

This book is about the author's personal experience as a caregiver, how he became one, everything he learned along the way and what a wonderful life two people can have together regardless of the situation. The author wants to share what he learned; information from doctors, insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry, disability claims and a number of other important issues including positive thinking and a happy life. His real life experiences have been "battle" tested in the totality of caregiving. The information he shares relates to all caregivers and many situations; from diseases, accidental disability and war wounded veterans. He further describes how one caregiver, over a period of 24 years, was able to maneuver across the "battlefield," still survive and not succumb to battle fatigue. Someone else's knowledge about something negative can make things more positive for you...and that is an important part of what this book is about. Many books out there are a wonderful collection of data compiled from the internet and government sources and provide answers to many issues. This book covers the "must do" items which are based on his experiences that can be used as a reference guide and adapted to your individualized situation. Every patient is different and in order to earn the "Caregiver of the year" award, you must find what works best for them. The most important issue is to realize that a severely disabled person needs to be treated with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, too many handicapped patients are disposed of like a useless piece of furniture or parked out of sight at some poorly run institution. What would you want to happen to you, should you ever be disabled as a result of an accident or disease? REMEMBER - it can happen to anyone - anytime, including YOU!

About the Author :
Born in Cuba, educated in Germany. After WWII he became a teenage spy for the US in Soviet occupied East Germany. After 2 years of his clandestine activities, returned to his native Cuba. Continued his education. Prior to Castro's takeover, arrived in US with limited resources. Started at American Airlines and within four years, was one of the few selected for AA's new Data Processing organization to develop and implement the first commercial interactive communications system in the world, AA's famous SABRE system; the foundation of the current on-line systems. By the end of the sixties, was chosen to head up the SABRE organization in Tulsa, OK. The Tulsa Tribune dubbed him "Commandant of Fort SABRE," the nickname given to the fortress type structure of the computer center. Concurrently, worked for the FBI as an undercover operative exposing Castro inspired activities. Recruited by the banking industry to recreate a similar computer environment using his innovative and technically challenging concepts. He became a top bank executive at one of the 10 largest banks in the world. Subsequently hired by a Computer Services Co. in Austin, TX to become their President & CEO. He retired early from this position to add medical expertise to his broad portfolio in order to become a 24/7 professional caregiver for his wife. She suffers from the severest form of Multiple Sclerosis which has resulted in her becoming a quadriplegic. The author has dedicated over 24 years to this complex job. While gaining his expertise in this intriguing field, he did consulting work for American Airlines and right after the first Gulf War was retained by the premier Saudi Arabian bank, Arab National Bank in Riyadh as their Head of Operations and Chief Technologist. This book is only a piece of his life story which is a high speed race through time. Compelling, interesting and very educational for any reader including those who are not disabled or caregivers.