Growing Up Caring: A Young Carer's Story of Resilience

Rebekah Dowhy's caregiving journey began at a young age, as her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis the year she was born. She grew up helping to care for her mother, taking on more responsibilities as her illness progressed and her siblings moved out. By age 17, Rebekah was one of her mother's primary caregivers, handling tasks like feeding, medications, and wound care. This took an emotional toll as she realized her mother's illness was terminal and felt isolated in her caregiving role.

Despite facing challenges, Rebekah maintained a close bond with her mother and found joy in their shared small moments. After her mother passed away in 2017, Rebekah struggled with a loss of purpose and identity but found fulfillment in nonprofit work. This led her to establish the Caregiving Support Network in 2020 at just 27 years old. Through her own experiences, Rebekah understood caregivers' isolation and the need for practical support. The CSN aims to elevate caregivers and fill gaps in care through services like home care, meals, and emotional support.

Rebekah's caregiving journey from childhood through founding CSN shows remarkable strength and resilience. By turning her hardships into help for others, she is making a difference for caregivers nationwide. Her work honors the care she provided for her mother and ensures no one feels alone in their caregiving role.



About Rebekah:

Rebekah is the founder and President of the Caregiving Support Network, a ministry dedicated to giving hope and practical relief to unpaid family caregivers.
Rebekah knows firsthand how relieving respite care is to a caregiver. Her mother was diagnosed with MS the same year she was born. Rebekah’s earliest caregiving memories include brushing and braiding her mothers hair. Those caregiving duties grew to administering medications, managing feeding tubes and complicated medical equipment as her mothers illness progressed.
Rebekah says although she had a relationship with God and loved her Mom, at times she felt so alone, hopeless, and tired. Relief only came when kind neighbors and friends would give a few hours of their time to sit with her mother.
In 2015 the idea of the Caregiving Support Network was placed on my heart when I was still caring for her mother because she knew other caregivers had to be facing the same hardships and joys. She felt compelled to tell them they were not alone. In 2022, that idea became a reality.

Social Media:
Website: https://www.caregivingsupportnetwork....
Facebook:   / caregivingsupportnetwork  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caregivingn...
Email: [email protected]

The sisters proudly partner with the Caregiver Action Network. CAN's Caregiver Help Desk offers free support to family caregivers via phone, chat, or email Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Eastern. Get answers, resources, support group info, or a listening ear. Visit www.caregiveraction.org/helpdesk/ or call 855-277-3640.