Meet Sandy Stark-Mcginnis; This Week's Featured Author

Aug 30, 2022 10:23 pm

Dear AlzAuthor,

I love my job, working with all of our wonderful authors at AlzAuthors.com.

As I read the books you submit, I feel like I've come to know over 300 extended family members from all over the world who have shared a similar journey with Alzheimer's and dementia, either as caregivers, or as one living with memory impairment.

After seven years of posting your books on our website, I am extraordinarily energized by our newest initiative, Custom Caregiving Collections, offering your real books to real people in real places, such as senior communities, continuing care communities, medical schools, nursing schools, university coursework in geriatrics and so many more potential areas.

I'm thrilled to say that we've delivered approximately 350 of your real books to real people in real places.

If you would like to provide one of these customized lending libraries to a physical location close to your heart, please contact us through our Custom Caregiver Collection page https://alzauthors.com/ccc/. Also, feel free to donate to this new initiative through this page as well.

Preparing our 30-book shipment to Kensington Place Redwood City, a dedicated Memory Care community offering two tiers of care that accommodate early- to middle- and middle- to late-stage cognitive impairment. Their Promise is “to love and care for your family as we do our own.” Learn more by clicking here.

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Meet Sandy Stark-McGinnis

If there is a preteen in your life, dealing with the confusing feelings brought about by dementia or Alzheimer's in a family member, they will benefit from Sandy Stark-McGinnis' novel for middle-grade readers.

Sandy writes:

The Space Between Lost and Found was my attempt at exploring what it’s like to watch a parent disappear before your eyes. The story is written from the perspective of 11-year-old Cassie Rodrigues. When Cassie’s mom is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, she must find a way to live the best life she can with her mom (and her dad), knowing it’s inevitable that she will lose her. In writing Cassie’s story, I wanted to explore how to navigate grief and loss and how with losing someone you love comes the heartbreaking lesson of letting go and how we can move on, finding a balance of honoring our lives with our loved ones before the loss. I wanted Cassie’s story to be a reminder of how fragile but resilient we are. Her story reflects the everyday sorrow and joy of life, the heartache and struggle we experience in making our way through the grief of living with Alzheimer’s.

Thank you, Sandy, for adding to our growing collection of great books for children and teens.

Read this week's post here: https://alzauthors.com/2022/08/30/sandy-mcginnis-space-between-lost-found/

Please retweet the announcement of this week's post here:

https://twitter.com/AlzAuthors/status/1564735570261204993

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Don't Miss Our Next Virtual Event

September is World Alzheimer's Month.

One hard fact we've learned through working with authors from across the globe is that dementia care varies from country to country, and from cities to rural areas. In some regions, health care and community resources may be abundant, while in others they may be nonexistent. A variety of factors influence what, if any, help is available. Those on a dementia journey may be confused about resources, unsure where or how to access them, and may not even be aware of what resources they need. Attitudes regarding a dementia diagnosis are also diverse, ranging from deeply pervasive stigma to unbreakable denial.

Conversation is needed across the world among those whose lives are impacted by dementia to compare notes, speak plain truths, and inspire each other to create change in our communities, from the family unit to the greater good. We aim to provide those conversations, to bring people together across borders and cultures to share our stories.

Please join us on September 13th at 2:00 pm EST for Dementia Care Around the World, Part One. In this AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Q&A we explore with three of our authors the similarities and differences caregivers and those living with dementia encounter as they seek care and search for solutions to the many questions and problems a dementia diagnosis brings. The authors featured in this event represent the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica. We hope their stories will inspire and empower you on your own dementia journey.

For more details visit AlzAuthors.com.

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On the Podcast

Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist confronting his own early onset Alzheimer’s. His is a unique perspective: Once the doctor diagnosing other people’s cognitive issues he is now the patient facing his own. He has written his story in a memoir, A Tattoo on My Brain: A Neurologist’s Personal Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease. In this episode, we discuss the value of testing for the Alzheimer’s gene, the importance of life plans, concerns regarding work and retirement, and the Viacom documentary currently in production about his dementia journey.

Start Listening!

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15% off sale on all AlzAuthors merchandise

Changing temps ahead! Shop AlzAuthors Fundraiser Shop and get 15% off cozy merchandise and fun accessories on August 31st - September 4th. All purchases support the ongoing efforts of AlzAuthors. Don't miss it! https://alzauthors.com/shop/#!/

Each time you place an order, you support AlzAuthors.

Shop Now!

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Let's stay connected ...

Be sure to add yourself to these directories:

Audiobook Directory: if your book is available in audio

Author Directory: if interested in networking with other authors

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

Designate AlzAuthors as your Amazon Smile charity

Buy a book (or books!) in the AlzAuthors Bookstore

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Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey