The Negative Space

01/13/2026

EPISODE 124: The New Year Hits Differently For Caregivers

At the start of a new year, it’s common for people to reflect on the highlights of the last twelve months and to set goals for the year ahead. For caregivers, moments like these can be a stark reminder that our lives are very different from those of our peers.

In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to see our friends’ highlight reels and how it feels to move into another year of caregiving.

Listen and join us for a free virtual support group on this topic on Sunday, 1/18, from 6-715pm CT.

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/26280

01/10/2026

I received an unexpected gift from my friend this week: this beautiful candle. The phrase etched on the side has been anchoring me since I opened it.

My brain likes to look ahead, to take stock of the knowns and unknowns in front of me, to worry, to fret, to despair over the enormity of it all. But this gift reminds me to slow down, to be present, to be where my feet are.

Whether your week ahead holds scary medical appointments 🙋🏼‍♀️, you are heartbroken over the state of your community 🙋🏼‍♀️, or you just aren't sure what will come next and if you can handle it 🙋🏼‍♀️I invite you to join me in taking it one day - even one moment - at a time. ❤️

And while you're at it, check out the gifts for caregivers my friend offers and perhaps give yourself or a caregiver in your life a much-needed boost.

01/09/2026

01/06/2026

We took December off from medical appointments, but now that it's January we're back at it and I hate it.

Sean is having a g-tube placed today (his third!). He is still able to eat normally, but his kidneys are failing and he's on the verge of needing dialysis. We're going to supplement his fluids at home using the g-tube to try to postpone dialysis as long as we can. It's also a nice back up for the next inevitable oral surgery, so that he can have a way to get nutrition as needed.

December was so dreamy and January feels like it's going to be brutal with weekly appointments, each of which could take us down a hard path. We'd appreciate your love and support as we take it one day at a time.

01/04/2026

The weeks ahead hold a number of appointments and procedures for my husband. Here are three things I'm trying to do to keep myself grounded.

01/04/2026

We are so grateful that AARP MN joined the In Sickness podcast to talk about paid leave!

01/01/2026

Caregivers, if looking back on 2025 brings sorrow and looking ahead to 2026 brings concern, know that The Negative Space is here with and for you today and in the years to come.

While so much is unknown, you can count on us to bring you more episodes of the In Sickness podcast, to offer more virtual support groups, to continue offering 1:1 support, social media content, caregiver gift boxes, and The Storyline.

You are part of the story and we are here for you. *Bright-siding not included.*

12/31/2025

We have big plans for caregiver recognition and support in 2026, including embedding our services in three major health systems! To provide caregivers with the programs that they both need and deserve, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

A generous donor has pledged a $10,000 matching gift for all donations made before the end of the year. Help us unlock this gift with a tax-deductible donation today! Any amount makes a difference in helping us help caregivers in the year ahead.

Want to send a check or a donation from a donor-advised fund and worried it won't arrive on time? Pledges count towards unlocking the match, so reach out at hello@thenegativespace.life and let us know your plan for helping us meet our goal.

Thank you for being part of the story!

https://www.thenegativespace.life/donate/

12/31/2025

MEET MIKO:
♥️ Primary caregiver for son, Dahcarri, who has Autism Disorder, Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, among other diagnoses

♥️ Caregiver for 29+ years

♥️ Our twenty-fifth (and final) caregiver feature of 2025 (More to come in 2026!)

"I am number 6 of 14, so I feel like I've been a caregiver all of my life. I went from taking care of my mother to taking care of my siblings straight into taking care of my sons, never quite figuring out how to take care of me.

I have 3 sons, each of them have their own superpower (ie diagnosis), but the one that made me a lifelong parent is Dahcarri "Doota" Jackson. He has a diagnosis of Autism Disorder, Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Bipolar, with some Schizophrenia sprinkled in. He was born with physical, developmental, cognitive, and behavioral health challenges. He was given a life expectancy of 6 months, and I was told that if he lived, he would never be able to do anything for himself. I started praying.

The realization that I had a forever child meant that I needed to make some adjustments to my journey. My life changed drastically; school was no longer an option, being replaced by appointments, questions, praying, appointments, therapy, appointments, crying, praying, group, playdates, parent to parent -- did I say appointments?

Because this was my new life, I decided to make special education my career choice. I transitioned into peer support, becoming a certified peer. I worked with other parents, assisting them and navigating the behavior health system. I ventured farther into the support world by creating Miko's Baby Community Support, which offers support groups like MOCCA (Mothers of Color Community Alliance) and BRUH (Brothers Reaching Unfathomable Heights).

On December 18, I received my degree in social work from Georgia State University. Getting here has been a long, trying journey, but it's so rewarding. All of this propels me to use my struggles to strengthen others. "

Please join us in thanking Miko for sharing her story and congratulate her on getting her degree!

12/31/2025

MEET MIKO:
♥️ Primary caregiver for son, Dahcarri, who has Autism Disorder, Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, among other diagnoses

♥️ Caregiver for 29+ years

♥️ Our twenty-fifth (and final) caregiver feature of 2025 (More to come in 2026!)

"I am number 6 of 14, so I feel like I've been a caregiver all of my life. I went from taking care of my mother to taking care of my siblings straight into taking care of my sons, never quite figuring out how to take care of me.

I have 3 sons, each of them have their own superpower (ie diagnosis), but the one that made me a lifelong parent is Dahcarri "Doota" Jackson. He has a diagnosis of Autism Disorder, Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Bipolar, with some Schizophrenia sprinkled in. He was born with physical, developmental, cognitive, and behavioral health challenges. He was given a life expectancy of 6 months, and I was told that if he lived, he would never be able to do anything for himself. I started praying.

The realization that I had a forever child meant that I needed to make some adjustments to my journey. My life changed drastically; school was no longer an option, being replaced by appointments, questions, praying, appointments, therapy, appointments, crying, praying, group, playdates, parent to parent -- did I say appointments?

Because this was my new life, I decided to make special education my career choice. I transitioned into peer support, becoming a certified peer. I worked with other parents, assisting them and navigating the behavior health system. I ventured farther into the support world by creating Miko's Baby Community Support, which offers support groups like MOCCA (Mothers of Color Community Alliance) and BRUH (Brothers Reaching Unfathomable Heights).

On December 18, I received my degree in social work from Georgia State University. Getting here has been a long, trying journey, but it's so rewarding. All of this propels me to use my struggles to strengthen others. "

Please join us in thanking Miko for sharing her story and congratulate her on getting her degree!

12/30/2025

EPISODE 123: The Benefits of Paid Family Leave for Caregivers

On January 1, 2026, Minnesota will become the thirteenth state to offer Paid Family Leave.

In this episode, we talk with Cathy McLeer from AARP about:
✔how this new law benefits caregivers
✔how we can support other states in adopting this law, and
✔other ways AARP supports caregivers of all ages.

Listen in and join us for a virtual support group on this topic on Monday, January 5, from 6-7:15pm CT.

Tell us:
🗨If you live in a state that has Paid Family Leave, how has that supported you as a caregiver?
🗨If you live in MN, how might this new law change things for you?

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for Support Group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/26149