National Caregiver Month – Featured Caregiver – Amber Ayres

In honor of Caregiver Appreciation Month we are featuring 3 different Caregivers and their stories. Our first post will be featuring Amber Ayres.

First I would like to start by thanking all caregivers out there! Your dedication and willingness to serve others is truly inspiring. We see you selflessly working day in and day out. We notice how great you take care of your loved one. We see how hard you work. We see how many hours you put in. We see that no matter how tired you are, you come in smiling. You motivate your loved one. You keep them going. You are so important in their lives. We appreciate each and every one of you and you’re all truly amazing!

We would like to take a minute to recognize one of our favorite caregivers, Amber Ayres! When Rich and Amber met it was love at first sight. They got married in 1996 and had their son, Christopher on October 10, 2001. Christopher was born with Cerebral Palsy. He was in the NICU for a couple months before coming home just before Christmas 2001. Just a few weeks later, on January 3, 2002, Rich was involved in a horrible car accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury. After a long year in hospitals, Rich was able to come home. He needs a caregiver at all times as does his son Christopher. Amber was the sole caregiver for several years before having any kind of extra help with other caregivers. She works full time and cares for both of them and loves them unconditionally. She truly meant her vows “in sickness and in health.” Our family is so blessed that Rich has Amber as his wife.

Amber selflessly gives to her family everyday. Even tasks like shopping have to be well planned and timely excursions with someone either at the house with the guys or she is left wheeling both around the store. Even with the hand that she has been dealt she is always smiling and positive. She chooses to embrace happiness and joy and lift others up rather than dwelling on the things she cannot control. Her strength is evident in every single aspect of her life. And even after all she has been through she has managed to bring others into her home to bless them with a place to live when there were no other options.

Amber is a caregiver, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a christian, a friend, a daughter, and a sister and we can truly say she is winning at all of her roles. We love you Amber Ayres!

 
We would also like to notice Vanessa for her dedication and commitment to caring for Rich as well. She has been an incredible blessing to our family and more importantly to Rich, Amber, and Christopher. She far exceeds every expectation and dream we could have. She has truly become a dear friend to us all.

Without the dedication of caregivers, Therafit would not exist. Most of our patients rely on others to take care of them and to bring them to Therafit. The caregivers believe that the patients can do more, that they can be more, if given the opportunity. Caregivers play a vital role in the lives of our patients. They help motivate, inspire, and cheer on the patient through their lives. Thank you for all that you do for each and every one of our patients.