Carl Wilkerson M.B.A.

About

Carl Wilkerson, M.B.A. is an artist, micromedia producer, musician, composer, author, mathematician and business analyst who has provided caregiving to his chronically ill partner for over 14 years and who has lived with his own chronic illness for the past three years. He has produced numerous media projects, including video, Internet radio, FM radio, music and blogging. He co-wrote Taking Up Space: How Eating Well and Exercising Regularly Changed My Life, with his wife, Pattie Thomas, Ph.D., who remains his creative partner and co-conspirator in fighting the good fights. He has been a caregiver spouse since Pattie became ill in 1997. The roles switched in 2008 when Carl confronted his own chronic illness. He has found that humor, truth, sensuality and sensuousness, creativity, music and revelry are key to thriving in the face of the challenges of being part of a Couple with Disabilities.

Books by Carl Wilkerson M.B.A.

Recent Posts

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Irregularities in sleep, which accompany many disabilities, can wreak havoc on the social life of anyone. But only to those who live in Las Vegas is the resulting culpability based on civic duty!

Twenty

The authors have endured a lot since their wedding on October 10, 1992. That's the point: they've endured it!!!

Medicine Part 1: To Med or not to Med

Use of medications for chronic illnesses improves the lives of sufferers even though they may not cure anything. Telling chronically ill people that their condition is their fault and that lifestyle changes alone will make them better is not only unsupported by existing data, but dangerous, resulting in more dependency upon caregivers and lower quality of life.

Space and Empathy

We moved at the beginning of May into an accessible apartment. This, with other factors, is making our lives better. We cannot help but wonder if the world would be a better place if social empathy became the guiding principle for not only design but all human interaction.

A Time for Every Purpose

Recent criticism levied at Newt Gingrich raises questions about monogamy in the context of chronic health conditions. Marriage should not make the daily lives of either spouse infeasible. Openness to renegotiation of the marriage “contract” allows CWDs to find dignity in the face of sexual incompatibilities.

Happy National "Appreciate This" Month, Part 1

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Appreciating us is not enough. Caregivers need financial, social and personal resources. It is upon our backs that many of the “sponsors” of this month of appreciation make their profits. We hope that if you take the time to recognize our efforts, you will also take the time to listen to us.

Who Gets to Be Sick Today?

If couples’ issues are amplified by illness, dealing with dual chronic illnesses makes them grow exponentially. Money, housework, sex and intimacy are complicated by feelings of being a burden, being inadequate, wanting to care, but being unable to do so. We will explore all these. However, you may find that our disabilities are the least interesting things about us.