Laura Davis Untangles Caring for a Mother Who Betrayed Her in the Past

Nov 02, 2022 12:56 am

Dear AlzAuthor,

The idea for this month's Virtual Q&A "Dementia with Difficult People" came to me months ago. So many of our authors have written stories about caring for a parent with whom they've had a strained or tumultuous relationship for a huge part of their lives. Nevertheless, when dementia hit, they were willing to overcome their differences and rise to the call to care. I envisioned a panel discussion with authors who have "been there/done that" and who could offer insight and solutions to others on that journey right now. There were a number of authors on my list, but not all could attend on the date we planned. One of those authors was Laura Davis, who, as it turns out, is this week's podcast guest, and gives us a sneak preview of what to expect when we gather for our discussion next week. I couldn't have planned it better! Sometimes, serendipity strikes. Laura is a writing teacher with 30+ years experience and has graciously offered to teach a writing workshop for caregivers in January. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, listen to the podcast and sign up for our panel discussion on November 8th. We have so much to learn from each other.

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Our Latest Podcast

Laura Davis and her mother had a troubled relationship that began in her teenage years. It seems Laura did not live up to her mother's expectations. They were often at war with each other and grew estranged over decades, finally coming to some sort of functional truce after Laura became a mother herself. When her mother was in her eighties and showing signs of cognitive decline, she surprised Laura by moving cross-country from her home in New Jersey to live near Laura and her family in California. Laura's memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars, tells her dramatic story of becoming caregiver to her mother who had betrayed her in the past. Her inspiring book is not only raw and honest but filled with compassion and forgiveness. In this episode, we discuss mending broken relationships, caregiving for a loved one with dementia who has caused you great pain, and the healing power of writing.

Start Listening!

Please retweet our announcement of Laura's podcast:

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Our Newest Author

Gina Awad, from Exeter, UK, along with her illustrator, Tony Husband, has written a unique, illustrated guide to dementia care, focusing on six families of diverse backgrounds through her new book, United Caring For Our Loved Ones.

Gina says:

"On deeper reflection I recalled my early childhood experiences visiting care homes with my grandmother who partook in creative arts with the residents. As an 8 year old and over 4 decades earlier I remembered not the residents engaging with the arts but those that weren’t. Being a little girl my emotions were stirred and I felt a sense of isolation, fear and vulnerability coming from the residents who I now know were living with advanced dementia. I believe these strong emotions and my naturally empathic nature connected all those years ago with the people, and my study ignited them. This was the catalyst in my mission and sits at the heart of what I do and why I do it."

Meet Gina

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November 1st is National Authors Day!

We'd like to thank our authors and celebrate their inspiring work that lights the way for those on the Alzheimer's and dementia journey.

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This is next week!

There's still time to sign up for our next AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Q&A: Dementia With Difficult People on November 8 at 2 pm EST. You will meet four of our authors who either cared for a parent who had hurt them in the past, or dealt with siblings who made caregiving difficult, or both. A professional mediator will also be on hand to offer advice on how to navigate a dementia journey with a difficult person.

Potential discussion topics:

Heeding the call to care
Reckoning with the past
Setting aside differences
Problems/issues encountered
Forgiveness
Building a support network without family

For more info visit our website.

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This is next week too!

This is tomorrow!

We are thrilled to partner with our friend Elizabeth B. Miller and her Happy Healthy Caregiver GOBS of GIVEWAYS Virtual Café on November 2. This will be a FUN way to connect FAMILY CAREGIVERS with helpful resources, like ours. We're offering a free copy of our anthology Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiving Stories, volume 2, and raffling off a collection of our books in a beautiful gift bag. Titles include Sisterly Shove by Malia Kline, Dementia and You by Dr. Ross Colquhoun, and Is There Any Ice Cream by Judith Allen Shone. There are 27 event sponsors who are collectively giving away over $2k in products, services, and gift cards!

This event is sold out! Congratulations, Elizabeth!

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This is also tomorrow!

The holiday season can be an especially trying time for dementia caregivers and those with dementia. Join Tami Anastasia, author of Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver, for a free webinar, “Holiday Tips & Tricks for Dementia Caregivers,” Wednesday, November 2, 4-5PM PDT.

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Coming soon!

Two AlzAuthors are featured in this live panel discussion: Ruth Stevens, author of Stage Seven, a novel, and Cindy Weinstein, co-author of Finding the Right Words, an invaluable guide for families dealing with a life-changing diagnosis.

Several other experts are included and will discuss the unique challenges faced by caregivers for adults living with dementia.

Hosted by the Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Rd Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

Ruth will present the gift of an AlzAuthors Custom Caregiver Collection to the library at this event.

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This too!

The Hudson Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is hosting a virtual caregiver panel discussion on Tuesday, November 15 at 2 pm EST featuring three AlzAuthors: Daniel Kenner, Room for Grace, a Caregiver Memoir, Kate Hanley, Breakfast Memories: a Dementia Love Story, and Marianne Sciucco, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story and a co-founder and manager of AlzAuthors. The first half of the program will cover Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, hosted by Josh Deschino, a community educator for the Alzheimer's Association. In the second half the authors will discuss their books and the value storytelling can bring to a dementia journey. The event is free.

Or call 1-800-272-3900

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New topic!

The response to our 6-Word Project has been so exciting and insightful that we are adding a new topic! Please share your stories:

What I wish I knew about Alzheimer's or dementia

that I didn't find out until later

Here’s how to share your six words on our topic:

1. Go to this link https://app.sixwordmemoirs.com/

where you’ll be prompted to login with a name/password/email.

2. Then go to Join Topics and use this code: b9xeuc4g

or visit https://app.sixwordmemoirs.com/topic/b9xeuc4g/s

3. Share one or as many six-word stories as you like!

Listen as co-founder and manager Marianne Sciucco tells podcast host Lance Slatten all about our 6-Word Memoir project in this All Home Care Matters podcast:

Watch on YouTube

We can't wait to read your stories!

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20% off all orders this week only!

We offer a variety of apparel and useful everyday items with your choice of logo and color to tell the world that you are an AlzAuthor.

Start Shopping!

All sales support our mission to provide quality resources to family caregivers.

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How to Support our Mission

Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:

Become an AlzAuthors Donor

Subscribe to our weekly blog

Follow our podcast and leave a review

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Volunteer your time and talents

Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource

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