Showing appreciation for the dementia caregiver community

A big thank you to Neighbor Nancy and Ann Ahnemouse for nominating me for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Nancy I have had previous contact with but I don’t believe I have with Ann, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear she had been following my blog for quite some time. It is yet another reminder of the wonderful community of caregivers waiting to be found in the blogosphere.

The rules are simple:

Thank and link to the amazing person who nominated you.
List the rules and display the award.
Share seven facts about yourself.
Nominate 15 other amazing blogs and comment on their posts to let them know they have been nominated.
Proudly display the award logo on your blog and follow the blogger who nominated you.

7 facts about me:
– I have Celiac Disease, and have been on a gluten-free diet since 2005.
– I’m a cat lover.
– I like my coffee black, no sugar.
– I’m a bourbon aficionado.
– I was born and raised in California, but have no interest in returning.
– A big Greek salad is one of my favorite meals.
– Stephen King is one of my favorite authors.

Bloggers you should follow (For sake of time, I have less than 15 but will try to add more soon!)

My Neighbor Miss D Nancy is a devoted elder advocate, and has been the driving force in helping a neighbor in her building who has dementia return to her home after she suffered abuse from family members.
Ann Ahnemouse As I said, this is a new blog for me, but she’s been posting for a few years! Ann writes about her journey with her partner, and how his dementia impacts their lives.
terry1954 I’ve been following Terry’s blog for quite a while. Terry was the sole family caregiver of her brother, who had MSA. He died this year, and while the end of his suffering was indeed a blessing, there is a giant hole left behind when our loved ones depart, no matter the circumstances. Terry is a fearless writer who shares her thoughts on many topics.
Alzheimer’s Speaks: Lori La Bey is a tireless advocate for caregivers. She has a radio show as well!
SaveEveryStep: You should subscribe to this blog for the weekly “Joe’s Letter” post alone. The letters are from the blogger’s uncle from WWII and they are so fascinating! If you love nostalgia, you’ll love her blog, as she often writes about the fashions and music from her childhood and adolescence. But Helen Spencer founded the website, SaveEveryStep.com in memory of her mother. She is giving back to the world by allowing you to capture your own family’s memories and preserve them for free, a useful service to anyone, but especially for families touched by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade: This blogger’s mother has Alzheimer’s and she writes both poignant and humorous accounts of her family’s life. You’ll have to read her blog to find out the reason for the unusual title of her blog!
My Demented Mom: Kathy Ritchie doesn’t sugarcoat one bit of her experiences caring for her mom, who has frontotemporal dementia. Kathy is in her 30s and is now a mother herself. Her blog is breathtaking in both its agony and in the way she expresses her love and dedication to her mother.
Quilt of Missing Memories: Talk about a family devastated by dementia. Jacquelyn’s father, mother and husband all have a form of dementia. Her father has passed, and late last year, so did Jacquelyn’s husband. I appreciate this blog because of the simple and joyous photos and short poems that are posted on a regular basis.
Lori’s Lane While not a caregiving blog in particular, the blogger did find herself in that role when her husband suffered a serious accident on the job. I love this blog for the insightful posts and the uplifting quote every Friday.