Finding Joy in the Journey: My Caregiving Story with Noah

This month, in honor of National Caregivers Month, I was invited by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) of Maryland to share my story as a caregiver to Noah. The article will be featured on the DDA Facebook page today and in their DDA Connection newsletter on November 20. I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight the joy, challenges, and humor that come with this journey, and to celebrate all caregivers who give their hearts every single day.

I have included the story below and a link to the Facebook page.

Read about Life with Noah: A Journey of Love, Laughter, and Caregiving:

"My name is Miriam Wiglesworth and I care for my 14-year-old son, Noah Huddleston. Do not get me wrong, this is not a one-woman job. My husband, my parents, Noah’s Dad, his sisters, and an entire village are part of our caregiving team. Noah has a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism, which makes daily life unpredictable. Some days, I am cleaning up messes, guiding him through toileting and showers, or ensuring someone is always by his side. Noah gets himself into situations, sometimes dangerous, sometimes downright humorous, that keep us on our toes.

Despite the challenges, Noah’s vibrant personality shines. He greets people at church with high fives and fist bumps, making everyone’s day brighter. At 14, he is constantly exploring and learning, which means he needs close supervision throughout the day.

Vacations can be especially tricky as new environments bring new risks, like Noah’s enthusiasm for diving into ocean waves without waiting for supervision. Through it all, his energy and smile light up every room, even on days when I feel like pulling my hair out.

We have been fortunate to receive support that makes caregiving more manageable.

Noah has been selected for Low Intensity Support Services funding several times, which has helped us cover summer camps, continence supplies, respite care, and even a replacement iPad.

Private insurance also allows us access to specialists, including the Down Syndrome Clinic at Kennedy Krieger Institute, as well as in-home Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. Most importantly, our family, friends, and support groups keep us afloat. I have learned that I am not the only one facing these challenges, which is why I began sharing Noah’s story, along with tips and resources with others. While the journey is not easy, it is full of love, laughter, and lessons I would not trade for anything." #NFCMonth