We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Ingledue. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from my special-needs sister. I took on her full-time care, and she now lives with me. It’s one of the hardest, but also the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Caring for her has taught me strength, patience, and purpose. She’s the reason I’m so passionate about helping others and why I became a nurse. The experiences we’ve shared have shaped how I approach challenges—with compassion, determination, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Professionally, I’m a registered nurse and the founder of Ray’s Respite Care, a mission that grew directly from my life as the full-time caregiver for my special-needs sister. She lives with me, and caring for her has shaped every part of who I am—both personally and professionally. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding, and it inspired me to create something that could support other families walking a similar path.
Ray’s Respite Care is built around a simple but powerful belief: caregivers deserve rest, and individuals with disabilities deserve safe, loving, high-quality support. What makes our work special is that it comes from lived experience—I understand the emotional, physical, and financial challenges families face because I’ve lived them every day. That’s why our approach is deeply compassionate, tailored, and grounded in dignity and respect.
Right now, I’m focused on growing the organization and expanding our services so we can reach more families across North and East Texas. We’re working on developing structured respite programs that include RN-level care, safe overnight options, and meaningful activities for individuals with disabilities. We’re also in the process of seeking funding and community partnerships so we can open more respite homes—spaces where families can trust that their loved ones are cared for with the same heart and attentiveness they’d give themselves.
What excites me most is the chance to build something truly needed: a support system for families who rarely get a break. My sister continues to be my biggest inspiration, and every step forward with Ray’s Respite Care is a step toward giving others the same hope, relief, and support I wished for when I was navigating this journey alone.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are compassion, resilience, and the ability to advocate.
Compassion has guided every decision I’ve made—both as a nurse and as a caregiver to my sister. It’s what keeps me grounded, patient, and focused on the humanity behind every situation.
For those early in their journey: practice compassion by slowing down, listening deeply, and trying to understand people’s stories. Compassion grows through connection.
Resilience is the reason I’m able to keep going through the hard days. Taking on the full care of my special-needs sister while building my nursing career and now a nonprofit required learning how to show up even when things felt overwhelming.
To develop resilience: embrace challenges as part of the process, not signs that you’re failing. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, and remember your “why”—it becomes your anchor.
Advocacy has been essential—from advocating for my sister’s needs, to advocating for patients, to advocating for families who desperately need respite care. It’s the skill that turns passion into action.
For those starting out: speak up, ask questions, and learn how systems work. The more you understand, the more effectively you can push for change.
My advice overall: don’t wait to feel ‘ready.’ Growth comes from stepping into the work with heart, learning as you go, and staying committed to the people you’re doing it for.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one challenge I’m facing right now is balancing the demands of being a full-time caregiver for my special-needs sister while also building Ray’s Respite Care. Both roles require so much of my time, energy, and heart, and there are days when it feels like there simply isn’t enough of me to go around.
I’m working through this challenge by learning to create better structure and support around myself. I’ve become more intentional about asking for help, setting boundaries, and prioritizing tasks that move the mission forward. I’ve also learned to give myself grace—reminding myself that progress doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be consistent.
What makes it manageable is remembering why I’m doing all of this. My sister is my motivation, and every step I take to strengthen Ray’s Respite Care is ultimately meant to support families just like ours. Keeping that purpose in focus is how I stay grounded and keep moving forward, even on the toughest days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raysresitecare.org
- Instagram: @rays.respite.care
Image Credits
Sarah Ingledue, Rachael Burton
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