“Inconceivable” Star Brandee Evans Navigates Mother’s Health battles, Finds Strength in Caregiving
LOS ANGELES, CA – Brandee Evans, breakout star of the hit BET series “Inconceivable,” is opening up about the deeply personal journey of caring for her mother, who is battling both multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. In a candid conversation,Evans detailed the emotional complexities of caregiving,from reconciling a challenging past to navigating the present realities of her mother’s declining health.
Evans revealed that her mother experienced a period of instability during her teenage years and early twenties, a dynamic that initially made providing care difficult. Seeking guidance, Evans took advice from casting director Robi Reed and initiated a heartfelt conversation with her mother centered on forgiveness.
“I’ll never forget going in the room and getting on my knees and just talking to her one night,” Evans recalled. “It may have been a couple weeks after I got her, and I said, ‘Mommy, I forgive you for anything you said to me that hurt me growing up, and I’m sorry for anything that I said to you growing up. I’m here with you.’ And she said,’thank you for coming to get me[fromthatnursinghome'”[fromthatnursinghome'”[fromthatnursinghome'”[fromthatnursinghome'”
The dual diagnosis of MS and Alzheimer’s presents ongoing challenges. Initially, doctors struggled to determine whether memory loss stemmed from MS or early onset dementia, ultimately leading to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Recently, Evans has observed concerning changes in her mother’s condition, including weight loss, tremors, and difficulty chewing.
However, the most emotionally taxing aspect of caregiving, evans shared, is her mother’s moments of not recognizing her. To cope, Evans employs a heartbreaking strategy: she pretends to be someone else her mother knows, speaking to her on the phone from another room. “The hardest acting job I’ve ever done is at the house as I have to get into character,” she admitted, adding, “But then I go in the room and I cry-Oh, and I cry hard.”
Despite the difficulties, Evans envisions a future inextricably linked to her mother’s presence. “I don’t know what my career is without my mother,because it blew up while I had my mother,which is crazy to me,” she stated. ”I want to do it all, and I want my mother right there with me along the way. I don’t know what life would be like without her.”
Evans draws strength from her love for her mother,her support network,her faith,and a commitment to living in the present moment. She encourages fellow caregivers to seek support from their doctors and to find positivity amidst the challenges.”Take a moment and talk to your doctors and find the positive still,” she urged. “It’s just a diagnosis, y’all. It’s okay.You’re still present right now… remind yourself that it’s an honor. Just meet them where they are.”
