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Care
Partner Feature Story  Your
Life & Their Recoveryby Max Szadek All his experience as a Professional Assistant could not prepare Max for his new full-time job as Luther's Care Partner. As the personal assistant to Luther Vandross for the last eight years I have had the amazing good fortune of working side by side with one of the country's leading recording artists. Before his stroke, we traveled around the world promoting his latest album and performing in concert. I worked closely with Luther's tour staff designating dressing rooms, designing costumes and arranging travel itineraries as well as supervising his residential staff. On April 16, 2003, my life changed considerably in an instant when I arrived at work and found my boss in desperate need of medical attention. Since I am Luther's assistant and not a spouse, sibling, child, or parent my role in his recovery as primary care partner is truly unique. Whereas most stroke survivors' care partners have overwhelming family obligations to contend with post-stroke, I have had to deal with the tension of having my livelihood affected. Since we were no longer touring or promoting albums, what exactly was I going to assist Luther with? The answer followed soon enough as I quickly immersed myself in assembling the right team of medical personnel to help in Luther's recovery. In the beginning, everyone involved from family members to band members had a difference of opinion regarding Luther's medical care. Some of the lingering questions in everyone's mind for weeks on end were, "Are we doing enough … and what about alternative treatments??…" My own grief over my boss' illness was made even more public when I was asked to give press interviews for the release of his record 'Dance With My Father'. Thankfully, the outpouring of love and prayer we received from Luther's fans around the world and the media's respect for my boss' privacy made the whole ordeal of record promotion easier.
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