Pas de deux

Pas de Deux describes my experience as primary caregiver for my husband, Steve, who suffered from Parkinson's disease. In this memoir, I document the progression of Steve's illness and its impact on us both. The opportunity to record our experience emerged amid the turmoil of long-term care and the sadness of witnessing Steve's deterioration. The benefits of writing my story were twofold. The importance and relevance of my narrative to other patients, carers, health professionals, and the wider community was my impetus. However, writing also helped me understand and cope with my experience as caregiver. This narrative highlights the practice of family caregiving and offers insight into the private lived experience of illness within the domestic setting. It is offered as a resource and aid for the uninitiated and for families undergoing similar experiences. My story is individual yet common to carers worldwide and I intend it to honour the seriously ill and those who look after them. The exegesis examines illness narratives written from the carer's perspective. This analysis investigates the tensions that arise when writing about a sick other. My research covers three main aspects of carer literature. Firstly, I examine the literary devices required to convey the illness experience. Secondly, I explore the potential for narrative as a means of communication and catharsis. Thirdly, I investigate the ethical issues of writing about a sick loved one, and the limitations and possibilities of writing from the carer's perspective. I present the carer memoir as an important literary form that validates a significant life event. This is a diverse genre that allows many different interpretations of illness and caregiving and one in which the potential for advocacy, catharsis and enlightenment remain paramount.