About

The Other Patient was created to shine a light on the often-overlooked experience of caregivers and loved ones in the medical system. When someone receives a diagnosis, the focus naturally shifts to the patient, but the people around them carry their own burdens, fears, and needs.

Our mission was born out of our own personal experiences caregiving. You can read about my story below.

Our Story

My name is Scott. Around 1997, one of my daughters presented with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at 18 months old. It was heart breaking to see the pain she would experience. It was also terrifying wondering what the future would hold for her. We had no idea what we were doing, but we did our best to care for her and support her. We had to learn how to navigate the medical system, advocate for her needs, and manage the emotional toll of her illness. We had to find ways to care for ourselves while caring for her. It was a long and difficult journey, but we were grateful no debilitaing damage occurred.

In 2022, I became something I never planned to be: a full-time caregiver. Brittany's background in mental health counseling and pastoral care made her a natural caregiver. When my parents came to live with us near the end of their lives, she stepped in fully. She would get up with me in the middle of the night to help. She was caring for them while I was at work. She gave everything she had. My parents passed within two hours of each other. Brittany held us together through all of it. She accomplished all this while trying to manage her own health.

What we didn't know was that the weight of that season would hit her hard. After my parents were gone, her own health began to decline sharply. Brittany lives with several serious chronic conditions, including Stiff Person's Syndrome, Dysautonomia, which causes her gastroparesis, POTS, neuropathy, and chronic bladder dysfunction. She went from caregiver to patient. Our relationship went from just husband and wife to also include the patient and caregiver dynamic.

I know what it feels like to be invisible in someone else's chronic illness journey. To be exhausted and grateful and heartbroken all at once. To search for something, anything, that speaks to your experience, not just the patient's.

That's why we started The Other Patient YouTube channel and built this site. For you.

Contact Us

Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you.