BOOK TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: I Will Never Forget by Elaine C. Pereira

I was really interested in reviewing this book because my aunt Annie had Alzheimer's.  I don't remember when she was diagnosed, but I remember her downward spiral started in 1980-1981 when she was around 65.  She died in early 1990.  I appreciate that the author is donating to the Alzheimer's Association.

Another reason I was interested in reviewing is because I have been an elderly caretaker.  One of my other aunts that I was close to, Helen, had me in charge of her financial side, while my sister-in-law took care of the medical side (since she's an RN).

Elaine's memoir is a book that should be read by anyone who is or has gone through being a caretaker for an elderly relative.  I could not believe how much this book resonated with me.  There were many times throughout the book that I thought, "I had that happen too!"  It just reminded me that even though I was alone in the journey of taking care of my Aunt, I wasn't alone!  This was my first full book read on my Kindle and I highlighted 44 areas that I had a "YES!" moment.  No one really prepares you for becoming a caretaker (no matter the level).

Elaine did a great job in giving the background history about her family.  The glimpses in her relationship with her mother and family helped with explaining the feelings of the child becoming the parent.  Kudos to Elaine for putting her story out there.  I'm sure it was hard to relive those emotional times in her life, but it will help others.

***

I Will Never Forget is the incredible true story of the author’s talented mother’s poignant and humorous journey through Dementia. From superb stories of Elaine's childhood, her controversial name, tales of smoking’ dragons, the feisty teenage years and a near paralyzing accident, her mother Betty Ward’s wonderful character is revealed.

Over time, as their relationship evolves and a new paradigm is formed, Betty begins to exhibit goofy actions, uncharacteristic verbal assaults and bizarre thinking. Although clearly mystified by her mother’s irrational behaviors, Elaine does not initially appreciate the extent of Betty’s mental decline. Her mother’s amazing ability to mask the truth clouds Elaine’s vision and prolongs her denial until one cataclysmic explosion of reality over an innocuous drapery rod launches a waterfall of destructive events.

As her mother’s brilliant mind is steadily destroyed by Dementia’s insatiable appetite for brain cells, Elaine accompanies her mother on her one-way journey through Alzheimer’s mystifying haze. Elaine cherishes her mother’s fascinating visions of her own mother, masterful Houdini-like disappearances and finally a stunning rally to take control of her own destiny.

I Will Never Forget is a heartwarming, humorous, honest and deeply moving story pertinent to everyone touched by the insidious effects of Dementia. Learn from Elaine's unwitting mistakes as she weaves her way through her mother’s unpredictable disease to capture insightful and effective intervention strategies.

The author donates a portion of every book sold to Alzheimer's research "in part so that my daughter's don't have to write a book about me one day."

#1 Best Seller in medical Biographies and Memoirs (Kindle) Amazon March 2014

 #1 Best Seller in Medical Professional Biographies (Books) Amazon March 2014

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About the Author

Elaine C. Pereira is a retired school occupational therapist who worked with special needs children. She earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Wayne State University and later completed her master’s degree. She also has completed courses as a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Caregiver, CDP. CDC.

Elaine and her husband Joseph live in southeastern Michigan with their cat, Snoopy, and two big dogs, Bailey and Maddee. Together they have five adult children; Joe’s three sons and Elaine’s twin daughters, five young grandchildren and a teenage granddaughter. Life is good again.

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"She was a kind, brilliant and talented person all of her life until Alzheimer's took hold leaving an agitated, bewildered and compromised woman in its wake. I was NOT the easy kid to raise, that would have been my brother. But after a decade of great personal sacrifice and unspeakable losses, Mom started her descent into dementia. I stepped up as she slid down, grateful to give back to the woman who once gave so much!" - author Elaine C Pereira

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

 

5 Lucky Winners will each win a Signed Book of I Will Never Forget

Open to US or ebook for Worldwide winners

Ending on Sunday 15th June at 11.59pm EST

Enter Below and Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Daily Zed: Geocaching

We decided to go geocaching on Sunday since it was a long weekend and it was going to be nice out.  We invited Dan's sister and her husband along too.  We had gone to the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship  before, but still had a lot of geocaches to find.

Our plan was to go to the Equestrian entrance since that would be closer to the geocaches.  Well, that didn't go as planned.  First of all, we took a wrong turn and ended up at another "sort of " entrance that only had like 2 parking spots.  We got out of the jeep and then looked at the map.  WRONG PLACE!  

We got back into the jeep and went to the right place.  The gate wasn't open.  WHAT?!  So much for that plan.

So we just went to the main entrance and walked the trail.  It all ended good.  We walked a good 3.5 miles.  Little Z was a tired boy when we got back to the Jeep. 

ready to pass out on mama's lap

We did find one geocache, but the container was broken and there was an ink pad in it that leaked all over everything.  Disappointing.

It was great to spend time with Donna and Bill, so the day wasn't a waste at all.  We all enjoyed the day.

Of course, we had some excitement on the way there.  The check engine light came on.  GREAT!  Not again!  We'll see what the code is this time.....

After taking a little nap, Zed was up and around and back at it.  He knew there were treats in the geocaching bag, so what does he do right in front of Dan?

That little stinker!

Adventures: Family Tree Collage

Saturday was my DIY day.  I have been thinking about doing a family tree picture collage for quite awhile.

I was thinking about putting it in the stairway, but then no one would really see it.  With our dining room now decorated, I was thinking of putting it on a wall there.  I had bought a canvas that I originally wanted to use, but at the community yardsale last week, I found FAMILY letters that caught my eye.  I got them for $1.

I knew I wanted to paint them - either black or brown to match the room.  I decided on black to match the picture frames and do all of the pictures in black and white.

That was an easy project, but my second using spray paint.  Still getting used to making the paint even!

Pictures - I have so many pictures for my side of the family.  My goal is to get "couple" pictures, but the farther back I go, the harder that is.  Either it's a family picture or single pictures.  The crazy thing - I went through all of my family tree stuff and found pictures that I didn't even remember.

L to R:  Mom & Dad, Great Grandparents LaSala, Grandparents Clark, Grandparents Caprarulo

I did a couple of pictures so far and started doing my templates for the wall.  I think I am going to wait a while to put them on the wall.  I am still gathering pictures from Dan's side of the family.  Plus I need to figure out the layout on the wall.

I'm making progress though!