Rusty Benson
AFA Journal associate editor
March 2019 – Gracie’s body was so mangled from the car crash that truckers on I-40 in West Tennessee who stopped to help grew nauseous. But by God’s grace, the young woman survived, and doctors were able to put her back together. However, life would never be the same for the Belmont University music student.
In the 35 years since, she has lost both legs and undergone some 80 surgeries and over 100 lesser procedures. One hundred doctors have treated her in twelve hospitals. Seven different insurance companies have managed over $10 million in medical bills.
Events following that November 1983 auto crash also changed the trajectory of the life of another young Belmont music student who would become her husband and caregiver.
When Peter Rosenberger met Gracie Parker, he noticed that she walked with a pronounced limp, but “then I heard her sing,” he recalls. “At that point, I knew that I would care for this woman for the rest of her life.”
It was a role that he says has led him to abysmal failures and astonishing successes.
Through their challenging journey, Rosenberger has come face to face with some profound truths about God, himself, and caregiving. With wit and candor he shares his wisdom and practical experience in books, on blogs and podcasts, at speaking events, and on an engaging weekly radio show that airs on some 200 stations around the country, including American Family Radio.
A recent interview with AFA Journal began with Rosenberger answering the simple question he often asks other caregivers who call Hope for the Caregiver radio show.
AFA Journal: Peter, how are you doing?
Peter Rosenberger: Thank you for asking. I am doing mostly well, but I’m frequently tired. Being a caregiver is more than a full-time job. Sometimes I feel discouraged as I juggle the caregiving challenges with running a ministry, but I suppose that’s why I’m qualified to speak into the lives of fellow caregivers.
From the calls I receive on the show, most caregivers are tired, stressed, discouraged, and often a bit angry. The ones who are not usually haven’t done it very long. That’s why I start off virtually every phone call to the radio show with the question you just asked me.
AFAJ: How would you describe your approach to helping caregivers?
PR: Caregivers can expect a direct conversation about their own well-being. They can also expect me to clearly point them to a path to safety, something they can do today that will help them. Sometimes, I’m firm with a caller, but only to cut through erroneous beliefs and martyrdom mentalities. The point is never to beat them up – caregivers do that to themselves in spades. The goal is to point them to a place where they can catch their breath, take a knee if they have to, and develop healthier strategies for themselves in their caregiving journey.
AFAJ: If you were a caller to your own show, what would you need to hear?
PR: I would need to be reminded again of my hope in Christ, the sovereignty of God, and the principles of stewardship of my own health and well-being.
Just as I have “gospel amnesia” and need to hear the good news over and over again, I have “caregiver amnesia” and need to be reminded again and again that Jesus knows my pain and sorrow, for He cares for a wounded bride. What better advocate could we have than someone interceding for us to the Father who truly understands the journey? 
Hope for the Caregiver airs on AFR (afr.net) Saturdays at 7 a.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m. (CT).
Resources available at hopeforthecaregiver.com
• 7 Caregiver Landmines and How You Can Avoid Them
• Hope for the Caregiver
• Gracie – Standing with Hope
Podcast: caregiverpodcast.com
Facebook: hopeforthecaregiver
Twitter: @hope4caregiver
