Caring for someone with cancer can take a toll, and The Helicopter Daughter offers encouragement, support and products that make life easier
By Mary Malik
Karen Hadden was an accidental “helicopter daughter.” Through circumstances involving the physical and emotional needs of both of her parents, Karen became their caregiver, organizer, and took on many other roles she never anticipated. The term “helicopter parent” is defined as a parent who oversees, or hovers over, every aspect of a child’s life. Caregiving often demands this same kind of attention.
“I took care of my mother and stepfather until their deaths,” says Karen. “My mother battled several illnesses and during that time, my stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. After my mother’s death, I barely had time to grieve because my stepfather needed care.”
During this difficult time, Karen found herself looking for help to balance their harsh medications with more natural ways of offsetting their side effects, while also searching for ways to reduce her own stress.
Unable to find definitive answers for herself, Karen opened a boutique after the deaths of her mother and stepfather filled with books and products to ease the physical and emotional side effects of illness experienced by patients and caregivers. As an homage to her own role, she named it The Helicopter Daughter.
“I wanted to create a space where people battling cancer or any illness, their caregivers and loved ones could come and find something to care for themselves,” says Karen. “Doctors and the internet suggest getting more rest or taking time for yourself, but patients and caregivers often don’t have the option of going to a spa, taking a vacation, or even getting a good night’s rest. We offer simple ways to take just a moment for yourself.”
The Helicopter Daughter takes a mind, body, spirit approach to self-care. For example, puzzles, games, paint by numbers, embroidery and crochet kits for the mind; bath bombs and shower steamers, natural lotions, body washes, and teas and broths for the body; and faith-based books and jewelry for the spirit.
“I work hard to have something that appeals to everyone,” says Karen. “Most products are USA-made and many are local, unique items you won’t find anyplace else.”
Karen makes “port pillows” that attach to the seatbelt and position over a cancer patient’s port to protect the site from irritation.
“I also have a ‘swear section’ with mugs, candles and more with some adult language,” says Karen. “There’s nothing like laughter to soothe the soul.”
The kids’ area has soothing toys and games aimed at teaching children to properly express their emotions and guided journals for teens to explore their feelings.
“Giving children the tools to manage their feelings in an appropriate way gives them tools for life,” says Karen.
Karen also holds events at The Helicopter Daughter to inform, engage and comfort.
“Cancer patients, but also caregivers and loved ones, experience side effects from treatment,” says Karen. “I want to alleviate those side effects for patients and for those who love them.”
The Helicopter Daughter is in The Matchworks Building at 8500 Station Street, Suite 285, in Mentor. Store hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For information call 440-725-1571 or check the website TheHelicopterDaughter.com.