A Coquitlam mom hopes a new web series about the lives of everyday caregivers will bring hope and inspiration to those who are looking after their loved ones.
Natasha Prokosh doesn’t think of herself as unusual or that her challenges are any more difficult than anyone else’s. After all, daughter Alexa, now 15 is not that different from any other teenager, according to Prokosh.
“She is human with gifts and strengths, just like everybody else,” said Prokosh, who is the subject of a video in the acclaimed web series Stories for Caregivers.
Alexa is a beautiful girl with big dark eyes and elegant long limbs like her mom. But when she experienced seizures as a toddler and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it was a blow to the family. When her sister Faith was born a few years later with similar health concerns, and later died at the age of seven, Prokosh was shattered.
It turned out both girls had a mutation of the Unc80 gene, characterized by nervous system and developmental problems, inherited through their mom.
With the little girl’s death, Prokosh quit her job as an executive assistant to focus on her family.
“Pain is pain, it really is,” Prokosh told the Tri-City News. But she said life is too short to focus on negative experiences.
“There are days when getting out of bed is a challenge. At the end of the day it’s about surviving those things and not coming out angry or coming out bitter.”
The family home is quiet on a Monday morning: son Gabe, who loves video games is at school, son J.J., the sports enthusiast is being homeschool by Alexa’s mom while Alexa, who doesn’t sleep for most of the night, gets her beauty rest.
When she awakes, the 15 year old will be taken to a variety of activities for their physical benefit, such as gymnastics and swimming. Her eating chair, a wooden structure with extra supports, is evidence of some of the physical challenges she faces.
In the video, Prokosh describes her hopes and fears for her children, and her belief that if they stick together they will be strong.
She is also writing a book about getting through life’s difficulties, and believes her faith, including nightly prayers and bible reading, has helped her get through tough times.
If she can pass on any advice, Prokosh would remind caregivers to make a daily practice of caring for their mental health.
The video is another way Prokosh can let the world know that family comes first. “Caring for those who care: Natasha” is one of more than 27 videos being produced, with support from the Telus Fund, and aired on Youtube as well as through Facebook.
Producer Bannister Bergen says stories like Prokosh’s are resonating with thousands of people across Canada.
More than 18,000 people have joined the Facebook page to connect, share their stories and participate in events featuring caregiving experts (one on wellness is coming up at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 28).
There is no call to action, no request for funds with this initiative, Bergen admitted, but by raising awareness of the millions of Canadians who are caregiving, and their daily struggles, the goal is to create an aware and caring community of mutual support.
