When illness transforms the lives of those around it

There is no single right way to be supportive. Some step in for a time; others stay for the long haul. What matters is finding a place that feels right for you — without rowing in place of someone else.

• putting words to what you are experiencing;
• understanding the invisible realities of illness;
• clarifying your role and its limits;
• communicating within a reality that has shifted.

Being a loved one does not mean becoming a healthcare professional. Your role is neither to treat nor to understand everything — and your own sense of direction matters just as much.