Mother caring for disabled adult son

This mother is caring for her grown son who is disabled.

The son, 43, is paralyzed from the waist down, and has other difficulties due to a traumatic head injury he received 10 years ago in a car wreck.

The mom said she has help from a nurse's aide who comes to the house a few times a week, but other than that, the mother is her son's sole caregiver.

"His father was still alive when the crash happened, so we did it together pretty much, when my husband wasn't working," she said.

Then her husband was diagnosed with a fast-spreading form of brain cancer. He died five years ago.

Since then, she's the only one around to help her son leave his wheelchair to go to bed or use the toilet.

She said she's grateful for her own good health because she's able to continue caring for her son at home.

"He's like a little boy in a man's body, and that's what makes it hard sometimes," the mother said. "We don't have money for any extras, and it's always a sad time for me. It would just be nice to do something a little special for both of us."

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for people like this - the jobless, homeless, those who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Each year, our generous readers' donations allow us to assist thousands of Kootenai County families in need. Each day until Christmas, we will share the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All.

Donations are collected, then distributed in the form of gift cards to Kootenai County residents in need.

Press Christmas for All is a holiday charity now in its 29th year. It is managed as a nonprofit by The Hagadone Corp. Because it is run by volunteers from The Hagadone Corp. and their partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from local retailers who also generously support the program. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.

To give, please send a check to:

Press Christmas for All, 201 Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

You can also call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and donate by credit card.

Donations can be made securely online at www.christmasforallcda.com.

Recent donors include: Anonymous; R and M Hunt; Joseph and Marylou Dion; Crag Adams; Akers Logging, Inc.; Frank and Suzanne Kaderka; Marcia Ogle; Cathy Slinger; JB and Dorothy Benoit; Charlene Halfhide; Jerry and Dr. Ellen Jaeger; Dixie and Alfred Braun; Carol Enders; Teresa and James Jamerson; Dwayne and Anita Moore; M and N Blakely; Joan Kirsch; Jeffrey and Sandra Medved; David and Katherine Halpin; Tom and Ellie Maitre; Anonymous; William and Susan Sturgeon; Stacy Carson; Michael and Beverly Brown; Rick Hill, in memory of grandparents Ray and Ruth Jones; Walter Bender; Kathleen Henderson; Rodney and Marietta Cage.