Scott Drysdale's Story

The Quiet Strength of Caregiving

Scott Drysdale never expected to become a full-time caregiver, but love has a way of reshaping every plan we hold. When his wife Cindy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 33 years old, their son Geoff was six. What began as a quiet question over dinner about why Cindy could no longer cut her food quickly turned into a life-altering journey.

Doctors couldn’t give them answers until they drove to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. There, in just one day, they received the diagnosis that would forever redefine their world.

The news brought both tears and a sense of relief. Together, Scott and Cindy leaned into their vows, not as a ceremonial promise but as a blueprint for resilience. Through relocations, demanding careers, brain surgeries, and difficult parenting decisions, Scott’s commitment to his family remained unshakable. He chose what many wouldn’t, sending Geoff to live with extended family so he could grow up in a more stable environment, all while allowing Scott to step fully into the expanding role of caregiver.

As Cindy’s condition progressed, so did Scott’s devotion. What began as minor adjustments turned into full-time caregiving, a role that consumed over 130 hours a week. It was more than physical support; it was advocacy, scheduling, managing household needs, and slowly witnessing the shift from husband to caregiver. And yet, through every challenging season, Scott showed up with loyalty, grit, and with grace.

But even the strongest hearts need support. Scott began to feel the quiet exhaustion that caregivers know all too well, the loss of self, the isolation, the slow erosion of joy. That changed when he connected with Duet and found a community of caregivers who truly understood the weight he carried. In those rooms, he found not just resources but a safe space to process, laugh, grieve, and grow. Duet helped turn the spotlight back on him, not away from Cindy, but back toward the man who needed permission to breathe, to feel, and to heal.

Scott found solace in structured help. He began with a few hours of weekly caregiving support, which eventually increased. The turning point came when he discovered Oakwood Creative Care, a vibrant space that gave Cindy joy and social connection while offering him 30 hours a week to reconnect with himself. Even with this help, the identity shift remained. He was no longer just Scott, the husband; he was the scheduler, the medication manager, the wheelchair navigator, and often the sole voice advocating for Cindy.

Still, Scott chose not to lose himself. He found healing through mentoring others and sharing his hard-earned wisdom with fellow caregivers. One mentee, in particular, became a faithful companion on the path. They laughed, shared, leaned on each other, and even took pottery classes with their loved ones. Through that experience, Scott gained insight not only into caregiving but also into the inner world of those like Cindy, helping him become a better partner in this journey.

Even as Parkinson’s, MCI, and dementia claimed more of Cindy’s independence, Scott sought new ways to stay connected. He found joy in life’s quieter moments, in photo albums and printed memories, gentle smiles, and in keeping the peace when conversations turned heavy. “Sometimes,” he shared, “I’ll agree with her just to move on to another topic. I ask myself, what’s more important: being right or being kind?” Love, he’s learned, isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about staying soft and patient, even when things don’t make sense. It’s about showing up again and again with grace.

After 45 years together, Scott still describes their meeting as love at first sight. They met at the old Stapleton Airport in Denver, got engaged on their third date, and never looked back. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” he says. “She remains the love of my life.”

To those just beginning their caregiving journey, Scott offers this: it’s work, but it’s sacred work. Don’t forget yourself in the process. Use your village. Ask for help. Prioritize mental health. Be social, even if it’s hard. And above all, give yourself grace.

Scott Drysdale is more than a caregiver. He’s a quiet warrior, a reminder that true love doesn’t just endure. It evolves, it sacrifices, and it lifts. His story is one of quiet courage, unwavering faith, and a deep, abiding devotion that defines what it truly means to care.

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