Shelle Aberle’s husband, Michael, a recently retired Colonel, courageously served his country for over 35 years.
Michael currently lives with a hereditary polycystic kidney disease and was placed on the national transplant list in 2012.
Shelle spends a considerable amount of time searching for a live donor and preparing the family for the medical journey that lies ahead.
As very few people had been made aware of Michael’s illness, Shelle often experienced the raw feelings of isolation shared by other military caregivers whose circumstances have been hidden from view.
That has eased with her role as an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow as she works to help promote a culture of interconnectivity among military caregivers. Peer-to-peer opportunities are extremely valuable says Shelle, and knowingly suggests that sometimes the best thing one can do for a caregiver is listen.
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