Harmony Through Caregiving: Finding the Balance and Blend

Stacey Shade-Ware smiling at the camera
BrainLine Director Stacey Shade-Ware blogs about life as a veteran caregiver

My name is Stacey Shade-Ware, director of BrainLine, veteran caregiver, mother, daughter, and soprano with the American Military Spouses Choir (AMSC). My husband, Russ, proudly served in the United States Air Force for more than 25 years. In that time, he deployed more than he’d care to recount, receiving both physical and emotional wounds. We married in 2006, just in time for him to be sent overseas again. Retiring from the military triggered something in him and now we take life one day at a time.

Here I will share what works for us – and what doesn’t. What life is like for those who live with those who served. I will be honest about what keeps us going and what is overwhelming. I hope to share a little hope and reminder that you are not alone on your journey of healing. You may have heard, “It’s okay to not be okay.” Well that goes for caregivers as well.

I live in central Maryland with husband, three daughters (one adult, two preschoolers), my parents, three dogs, and a ten-foot boa constrictor named Bubbles. I am also an avid crafter and enjoy baking and sewing… when I can find the time. Learn more about Stacey >

The Latest from Stacey

New Year! New Me? Ha! Not with PTSD

Russ Ware (left) and Grandpa Russ Ware (right) in an antique car museum

In the past, Russ and I would celebrate across oceans and time zones, sometimes a half hour off. Yes, really. Afghanistan is nine-and-a-half hours ahead of the east coast, 10-and-a-half from Texas. It was wild trying to sync up schedules but I would never turn down a 3AM-my-time video chat. I am grateful we don’t have to contend with that any longer. But Russ being home hasn’t made the transition from 2021 to 2022 any easier.