Poetry for the Dementia Journey - Episode Two
- S2023E89
- 59:48
- May 9th 2023
In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hosted a gathering of poets on April 18, 2023, to share work inspired by their dementia experiences.
We understand that storytelling, of any kind, but especially through poetry lightens burdens. For many caregivers, poetry can be a means of expression, of sharing their experience, opening hearts to joy, or drowning sorrows. Finding the right words to tell our stories can ease our journey. Reading the words of others can inspire us, give us strength, and let us know we are not alone.
The response to our initial invitation to a poetry reading was tremendous and better than we expected. More than 60 authors RSVP'd, and on the day of the reading more than 30 showed up to read and share their beautiful words and stories with honesty and grace. We shared laughter and tears, too.
Now, thirty poets is a lot of poets! And a lot of poems. We accommodated everyone by stretching the program out to two hours. Many poets got to read twice. What resulted is almost 2-hours of recorded poetry on the dementia journey, now available on our podcast in two episodes and on our YouTube channel. Welcome to episode two.
Get out the tissues and start listening!
Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gms7c16PGyQ
Here are some of the comments we've received:
· "The reading was heartfelt and healing. Thank you so much everyone!" Therese Halscheid
· "Thanks to the organizers and readers for a beautiful and healing session." Mariana Mcdonald
· "I want to thank everyone for sharing so many superb poems revealing so much on such a difficult subject." Walter Bargen
· "This was a wonderful, powerful, affirming reading. I want to thank AlzAuthors for organizing this. I am so grateful to all the brave voices who speak from a deep authority on Alzheimer’s/dementia." Margaret Stawowy
· "Today I was privileged to be one of many poets associated with AlzAuthors on a conference call. To hear the shared words of their experiences similar to my own gave me a sense of unity. I felt part of a village. That’s what we are, really. We’re all part of the village, managing whatever life has given us. Never forget, whatever your life is, you are part of the village." Rene Terry Mucci
· "This was so wonderful. I have been so touched by everyone’s words today. Keep writing!" Christy Byrne Yates
· "Remembering our loved ones like this always heals my heart." Charlie Becker
Featured Poets
- Alan Bern
- Ann Campanella
- Annette Wick
- Caroline Johnson
- Charlie Becker
- Dorothy Horne
- Felicia Mitchell
- Joy Johnston
- Judith Lechner
- Kelly DuMar
- Lori Aden
- Margaret Stawowy
- Mariana Mcdonald
- Marion Cohen
- Marjorie Maddox
- Marsha Barber
- Mary Crescenzo
- Paul Sohar
- Pauletta Hansel
- Pauli Pedersen
- Rene Terry Mucci
- Sandra Berris
- Sherri Levine
- Steve Giblin
- Sue Fagalde Lick
- Susan J. Farese
- Therese
- Tom and Karen Brenner
- Tony Copeland-Parker
- Virginia Pasquarelli
- Walter Bargen
Resources
Storms of the Inland Sea: Poems of Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiving by Margaret Stawowy (Editor), Jim Cokas (Editor)
Download our free booklet "Poetry for the Dementia Journey," featuring 17 collections of poetry.
AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia
Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast! We’re so glad you found us. We are the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Join us each week as one of our authors shares their dementia journey, revealing intimate details and painfully obtained knowledge to help others currently on this path. We hope our stories offer comfort and support as we strive to break the silence and stigma surrounding a dementia diagnosis. May one of our authors speak to your experience. For more info please visit https://alzauthors.com.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
Meet Our Hosts
Marianne Sciucco is a registered nurse, dementia daughter, and author of the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, based on a couple she met through her work. It is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart-wrenching disease. Marianne cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20+-year nursing career. She provided care to her stepfather during his dementia journey, and witnessed the painful decline of four beloved aunts to the disease. She's a founding member of AlzAuthors, sits on the Board, and is a director and manager. She can talk about AlzAuthors all day.
Christy Byrne Yates is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), retired school psychologist, author, speaker and coach/consultant. Her book, Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation recounts her journey as a working mother of two who also managed the care of her parents, both of whom had some form of dementia. Combining her lived experience with her professional expertise in human development, wellness and a strengths based approach to finding solutions, Christy develops content, workshops and coaching to support Sandwiched families. She incorporates meditation, mindfulness and other evidence based mind/body practices into her work. She’s worked with care communities, financial professionals, estate planners and employers. Christy has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and graduate credentials in both education and school psychology.
Support Us
AlzAuthors is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. The podcast is one way we provide knowledge, comfort, and support to busy caregivers desperate for information. Your generosity will help us to continue our mission to lift the silence and stigma that often accompanies a dementia diagnosis. Please consider making a donation. Thank you.