What is An Alzheimer’s Awakening?
As soon as Mom told me about her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s Disease, I knew that time was of the essence. This lovely human wasn’t going to be the same forever and I wanted to spend as much time as possible getting to know her, and by extension me.
The first few years, the symptoms of this atrocious disease didn’t seem too profound - sure there was some forgetfulness, issues with directions, disorganization, and inability to plan, but it wasn’t until things dramatically began to shift that I knew I needed to begin documenting our experience.
After getting the consent from Mom (at a time that she was able to give and understand how many others her story could eventually impact), I started an Instagram account.
First a public journal of sorts; a place where I could describe the emotional rollercoaser to others who understood. Suddenly I realized I wasn’t alone. I connected with other families, caregivers, and phenomenal professionals who wanted nothing but to help folks not only survive but still enjoy life despite disease.
My love of writing reignited through heartache.
Writing was always something I enjoyed, but it wasn’t until I realized how the power of word can reach, help, and soothe myself and others did I truly understand the passion I feel for crafting stories and speaking from the soul.
As the years went on and symptoms progressed, so did the ease in which words flowed from my fingers. Fueled by confusion, compassion, and wonder, posts basically wrote themselves and served as the best therapy I’ve ever had.
The only issue: a character count.
The confines of an instagram post or one minute reel doesn’t provide me with the space I need to share the depths of this experience. So here we are on Substack - a place for expansion, not only of the written word but of the feelings I share.
And hence, this longer form, weekly newsletter/blog has formed.
Ok, what this is all about:
A weekly-ish newsletter providing our lived experience with Alzheimer’s over the past 10 years and the strategies I’ve used to not only survive but thrive through a time when many may run away.
On the blog you may find:
Communication tips and ideas
Ways we can help reshape socital beleifs around dementia
Mindfulness based approaches to the caregiving experience
Examples of how leading with curiosity and compassion are game-changers
Guided meditations or simple awareness tools for life
Practical and hands-on dementia strategies
This newsletter is 100% subscriber funded and is leading me to my life work. Each post, and you, every single amazing subscriber gets me closer to realizing my dreams.
Thank you for being here!
A lil about me:
I am a writer, meditation teacher, death doula, and life appreciator. By day, I am a successful Director of Sales for a not for profit organization as well and an on-call care partner for my mom and step-dad.
Since 2013 I have been teaching Vipassana meditation (also known as Insight meditation or mindfulness meditation) in the community, the corporate environment, as well as classes for children.
I have studied with esteemed teachers such as Ram Dass, Pema Chodron, Joseph Goldstein, and Sharon Salzburg and find their lessons in impermanence, living in the present moment, and leading with compassion to be pillars in my approach to this dementia journey and life.
While I am not utilizing my BA in Vocal Music Performance much these days except for singing on my walks or around the house, music is still a very important part of my life - as it is with my mom, too. We both use music as a tool to soothe and energize!
Travel is a huge component of my world, both for work and Mom. You will often find me on the 7 hour drive back or forth to her house or on a plane heading towards a trade show. (Don’t worry, I always make time for a walk in the woods or a hike!).
Over the past few years and because of this journey with Alzheimer’s, I have realized that my life work is to help folks gain a more insightful perspective on their mind in order to relieve some of the additional suffering caused by unchecked thinking.
The way we approach our mind, our person, and dementia matters.
