November is National Caregivers Month, a time to honor the quiet strength and endless compassion of those who dedicate their days—and hearts—to caring for loved ones living with ALS.
At ALS United North Carolina, Meg Rayder, MSW, carries that same spirit of care into her work every day. As the facilitator of our Caregiver Support Group, Meg creates a space where caregivers can breathe, connect, and remember that they’re not alone on this journey.
Meg’s career in medical social work spans more than 15 years. Over that time, she’s seen the focus of healthcare tilt toward the person with a diagnosis. But with ALS, she says, the impact ripples far wider.
“Having ALS is a whole-family diagnosis—everyone is affected,” Meg explained. “I wanted to make sure the caregivers, who are doing so much and giving up so much, had a space to be seen, heard, and encouraged.”
That philosophy has shaped the way she runs her twice-monthly support group. The conversations, she says, are real and honest, acknowledging both the exhaustion and the deep love that define caregiving.
“We never lose sight of hope,” she said. “Not necessarily just hope for a cure but hope that comes from not feeling alone. Every meeting ends the same way—someone always says, ‘I feel better knowing there are others who understand.’”
Still, caregiving for ALS comes with unique and profound challenges.
“Asking for help is a big one,” Meg admitted. “Care partners often feel guilty for needing respite or support. And so many neglect their own health because they’re focused on their loved ones’ needs. I remind them often—you have to take your oxygen first. You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
After years of leading these groups, Meg has developed a deep respect for the resilience of ALS caregivers.
“ALS caregivers are the toughest caregivers,” she said. “I’ve worked in hospice for many years, but there’s something uniquely strong about the ALS community. They teach me compassion, gratitude, and how to appreciate the small beauties in life. They remind me I’m in the right field.”
Meg’s sessions are intentionally unstructured—no guest speakers, no rigid topics—just caregivers connecting with each other.
“That hour or two every month is invaluable,” she said. “It’s their space to share resources, encouragement, and simply show up for one another. That’s what meaningful support really looks like.”
And when asked what superpower she’d give to every ALS caregiver, Meg laughed.
“Cloning,” she said. “So they could take care of themselves and still get everything done.”
If she could add a “magic item” to every caregiver’s toolkit, she wouldn’t hesitate:
“A potion for uninterrupted rest,” she smiled. “The exhaustion is what I’d want to conquer.”
Outside of her professional life, there’s another side to Meg that surprises people.
“I went to NASA Space Camp as a kid,” she said, laughing. “I grew up in Florida and got to see night launches at Cape Canaveral. It was incredible. If someone offered me the chance to go again today, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”
As we honor Caregivers Month, Meg’s warmth and perspective remind us that caregiving is more than a role—it’s a relationship rooted in love, patience, and humanity.
“Sometimes,” Meg reflected, “the most powerful thing I can do is give caregivers space to just be—to exhale, to share, to remember they’re not alone.”
If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one with ALS, you’re invited to join our ALS Caregiver Support Group, led by Meg Rayder, MSW.
The group meets every first and second Thursday of the month, offering a safe, welcoming space to connect, share, and find community among those who understand. Visit our events calendar or support group page to find out more.