Just See me

Just See Me-Sacred Stories from the Other Side of Dementia’ was written so the world could witness the incredible power of storytelling, love and legacy even in the face of tragedy.

Preface

You might gently guide into it or take a hard fall on the pavement, but either way, becoming a caregiver is challenging. Your palms sweat, your shoulders painfully seize, you forget to breath deep, new fine lines show on your face, your chest hurts, stomach burns and yet you step forward even as your heels dig in deep. We love with intensity, and caring for someone we love takes grit, tenacity and infinite strength. We take one big step at a time all the while silently wondering; “why me, is this real and how will I possibly do this?” The grief can be palpable, but not as strong as the love which ascends from the very pain we want to avoid.

Families in ‘Just See Me-Sacred Stories from the Other Side of Dementia’ opened their hearts and homes to share their stories of becoming caregivers to their loved ones with dementia. Lives were changed in the making of Just See Me. Truths were proudly announced and burdens were lifted. Strengths were uncovered as fears were unveiled. Tears flowed and laughter freely bounced about. Even as the stories were first told, healing began. While their stories are unique and dementia requires an extraordinary kind of caring, many of us are caregivers in our own ways.

I have been and am a caregiver also. I found myself in unknown, frightful territory, even with my vast medical experience. Denial, imbalance and excuses scattered across every aspect of my life. I felt achey and yet numb; empty and overwhelmed at the same time. Like the families in my book, I experienced isolation, shame, powerlessness, and profound sadness. Because the families in ‘Just See Me’ opened their hearts and shared their intimate stories, I learned to reframe the past and also love in a different more profound way during my own darkest hours.

The intention to write this book was a true epiphany. One afternoon as I finished a visit in the clinic, I heard, ’You need to tell these stories. The world needs to know.’ Even with no formal education in writing, photography or business, I embarked on a venture in unfamiliar terrain with incredible certainty as every tool I needed showed up. Some may call this naive, however I’m certain it was and still is divine intervention. I discovered talents which had been buried long ago. I learned to stand in my light and speak for the truth in ways I would not have expected. Telling these stories with the world is my sacred mission, and I was well taken care of. Only God knew there would be more to this little book, ‘Just See Me’ than I could imagine.