A Note From Mr. Shadow
Honoring Kurt, and helping Kaeli through the hardest season of her life.
Kaeli Hansen has spent 33 years as a caregiver. This year, she and her partner Kurt made the brave move so many of us dream about: they left the U.S. and built a quiet life together in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Kurt lived with a traumatic brain injury for years, and Kaeli cared for him with a steadiness that humbles everyone who knows their story. In July 2026, after a long decline, Kurt passed away in Ecuador. He loved football, wore his Ecuador jersey proudly during the World Cup, and was, above all, deeply loved.
Grief is heavy enough on its own. Doing it far from home, while holding the practical weight that follows a loss overseas, is heavier still. Kaeli is facing funeral costs and the bills that come with all of this, while she waits for her home back in Iowa to sell at the start of September. Between now and then, a little help goes a long way.
She was reluctant to ask. In her words: "I had been reluctant to ask for help, but the Universe seems to be encouraging it." So on her behalf, and with her blessing, I am asking for her.
If you can give, thank you. If you cannot, a share or a kind word matters too. Kaeli writes beautifully about caregiving and self-care, and following her work is its own quiet way of standing with her.
Read Kaeli in her own words at Caregivers Count with Kaeli Hansen. As she always signs off: take care of yourself, you deserve it.