My caregiving journey began when I was 27. I had just left my career as a teacher to pursue filmmaking. I packed up my things, moved to Boston, and was ready to chase my dream. But just one month later, everything changed.

The Call That Began My Caregiving Journey

I got a call that my dad, Tod, had fallen one morning and hit his head so hard he suffered a traumatic brain injury. My filmmaking aspirations disappeared overnight as I faced the reality of this new normal. At first, he wasn’t expected to survive. Doctors called him “a miracle” when he woke up eight days after a coma and spent the next three months in various hospitals.

It felt like a movie; my three siblings, my mom, and I were holding out for that perfect movie script ending where everything went back to normal. But it didn’t. What we thought was the biggest challenge of our lives was only the beginning.

The Heart of Caregiving: Lessons in Love, Patience, and Purpose

Life after a brain injury is very different from the life my dad had before. He could no longer drive and needed support nearly 24 hours a day. My mom, Gail, carried most of the weight as his primary caregiver. She’s been on the front lines ever since, and we do our best to support her, too. But caregiving is a team sport—my siblings and I have all played different roles over these past 14 years.

I’ve learned more about life through caregiving than I ever could have imagined. As difficult as it can be, it has become the backbone of who I am. I’ve spent more vulnerable, meaningful time with my dad than many people get in five lifetimes. I’ve cared for him in all sorts of ways and am constantly inspired by his grace and acceptance.

Today, I’m married with two children—Dolly and Felix—and they are learning what caregiving means, too. One of my favorite memories is watching 4-year-old Dolly, just 3-foot-6, try to help my 6-foot-3 dad walk by holding onto his back pant leg, as I hold onto his shirt when he seems unsteady. That kind of love and care is priceless—and witnessing it as a father is one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

I’ve sat with my dad in a coma, believing we were in our final hours together. And I’ve been there to watch him take his first steps as he relearned to walk. I’ve been there for both of my children’s first steps, too. Those moments, the heartbreak and the hope, have shaped me in countless ways.

From Caregiver to Storyteller: Finding Meaning Through Film

Somehow, I was still able to continue making films and even turned it into a career, starting Pixela Films and creating feature-length films and commercials all over the world. Eventually, I turned the camera on my dad and made a documentary about him and the caregiving experience called The House We Lived In.

Life came full circle when I got a call from Careforth, asking me to help their marketing team share real-life caregiver stories. I’ve traveled across the U.S. meeting incredible families and helping tell their stories. It has been one of the more meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on. Being part of these projects has opened my eyes to the quiet heroism that exists in everyday life. Each family’s story is different, but they all share this remarkable ability to find meaning, connection, and even joy in circumstances that could easily break the spirit. 

The Lasting Impact of Caregiving on Who I Am Today

My experience as a caregiver continues to shape me as a filmmaker, husband, father, son—and as a human being. It has deepened my empathy, strengthened my compassion, and given me a sense of purpose that guides everything I do.

About the author:

Tim O’Donnell is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning documentary filmmaker. He is the co-founder of Pixela Films, a commercial and documentary production company. Tim’s work has appeared on ESPN, NBC, PBS, Hulu, CNN Films and events around the world.