Our story
The Caregiver’s Well was founded in 2019 after a group of parents in Indianapolis recognized that emotional support resources were lacking for parents of children with heightened medical, developmental, and behavioral health care needs.
Some of these moms and dads had infants newly diagnosed with rare conditions. Others had children who communicated nonverbally, who moved using wheelchairs and gait trainers, or who were gearing up for what felt like their millionth surgery. One mom had a teenager who had survived cancer, was living with blindness, and who now kicked butt on his local hockey team.
The day-to-day routines of these parents varied tremendously. The types of specialists and therapists they saw differed too. But the more they talked, the more similarities they recognized in their overall emotional journeys. At some point, each of these caregiving parents had felt unsure. Afraid. Alone. Each had moments where they questioned their intuition. Where they felt like the “what if’s” would topple them. Where they grieved what wasn’t — and celebrated what was — and felt every emotion in between.
In sharing their stories with one another, these parents found a community of moms and dads who “got it.” And as the pandemic ushered in a scale of isolation that none of them could have predicted, they started to share their stories more widely.
What began as a tiny blog called Paint Her in Color has now grown into a trusted suite of emotional support resources accessed by thousands of parents across the globe. 100% of our resources are created by parents, for parents. Which means that every story, tip, and tool stems from the lived experiences of those who have been there.
If you are new to our site, welcome. We hope there is something here that resonates with you. Something that eases your mind or fortifies your spirit or just plain reminds you that you are not alone. As you continue along your caregiving journey, know that there are parents all over the world who are rooting for you.
You are doing a good job. You are enough as you are. And you can do it.
