Extraordinary Caregiving: Venus Schrader

You've made it to the Extraordinary Ordinary blog where TLC Nielsen records the extraordinary adventures of regular folks.

Extraordinary Caregiving

I bumped into Venus Schrader at a writing convention and am so glad we started chatting! Her unique path of learning self-care as a caregiver to her spouse has her now leading retreats and writing books about caregiving as well as making a difference as a licensed massage therapist.

Welcome to the Extraordinary Ordinary blog, Venus!

Q) Caregiving is a unique calling. At what point did this calling come into your life?

I was born a caregiving Big Sister to Jay, my brother three years younger, and sister Sarisa, seven years younger. Single Mom to four spunky kiddos. These prepared me for my 20-year mission field as the full-time caregiver to my Husband.

Q) How did massage therapy factor into your caring for your spouse?

Being trained as a massage therapist taught me the importance of self-care. Practicing those skills I teach my patients: breathing, stretching, hydrating are the Big three. Helped me to care for my husband from a place of love and not frustration.

Q) Where were you when you first knew massage therapy was the job for you?

I was at home recovering from being (temporarily) blind due to diabetes when a massage therapy school commercial came on.

Q) At what point did you realize how important self-care is for caregivers?

When I woke up in the ER with a blood sugar level of 1500 and my husband in a wheelchair at my bedside.

Q) Why did it take so long for you to administer self-care?

I didn't have time to care for myself. All my energy went into keeping the humans alive in my life.

Q) How did God use your caregiving to reach people outside the family?

In the midst of this, I teamed up with my ministry partner and we started hosting ministry events to encourage women to fulfill God's purpose for their life. 

Q) When did you know God was using your circumstances for good?

When our faith increased and our relationship with God grew stronger. Despite 12 surgeons telling us Randy wouldn't survive the procedure. He did every time. Randy was truly a living, breathing miracle.

Q) Where is God leading you now?

God is leading me to share my story and to encourage other caregivers to take care of themselves. I am working on a podcast to share the information from the book I'm working on.

Q) What is one surprising thing about yourself? I have been to two Sir Elton John concerts!      

Venus Schrader is a team member of the Beauty for Ashes (BFA) retreats for women alongside Andy Lee and Debbie Hufham. Check out Venus' website here and see a photo of us together!

Ladies, you can also attend the March 1–2, 2024 BFA virtually—check it out.