I'm a native of Houston, Texas. I was born and raised here. I'm the only child of two aging parents, both 82 years old. I received my bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University and my graduate degree from Prairie View A&M University. I have worked with youth and families in various capacities, including as an elementary teacher, parent educator, and certified life coach.
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My experience caring for two elderly parents inspired me to write this book. The responsibility was difficult, and I was getting tired on the journey. I didn't have a resource to help me along the way. One day, I was on a prayer app, and there was a quote by a minister that said, in part (I'm paraphrasing), "May your greatest source of pain propel you into your purpose and prosper you." I then realized that my caregiving experience was not for hardship but to be shared with others in a similar situation.
I love my book cover. The winding road represents the many curves you encounter as a care provider, and the heart represents love. On the caregiving path, all we do is with love in view.
The most significant influence on me as a writer has to be my parents. More specifically, my mother. She has dementia, yet her positive spirit is a motivating factor.
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When writing this book, I had to overcome obstacles related to time, finances, and emotions. Time was a challenge because I was balancing part-time employment, an online class, and my regular caregiver duties. Finances were an obstacle because I resigned from my full-time career to take care of my parents a year ago.
Caring for Aging Parents: From Struggle to Strength is a reader-friendly book for those caring for parents, grandparents, or children with disabilities. The book is a great read in its entirety. It's an excellent resource for specific topics like how to get the help you need from family, how to establish boundaries when to seek external medical care, and how to become an advocate for excellent health care for your loved one. Simply look up your topic of need in the table of contents, find the chapter, and get the information you need on the page with quick tips. This Amazon best-seller book is a fast read. It can be read in one or two days because, as care providers, we don't have time to read fluff. The book is compact, resourceful, and a must-have.
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This book's target audience is the 3.4 million Texans who are caregivers and the 65.7 million U.S. households with caregivers. Care providers need to know they are not alone on this journey; this book is the resource they need to help make things easier.
My greatest success in life is taking my caregiver experience and sharing it with the world...for those who choose to use this blueprint. I was driving my mom to the doctor one day, and she looked at me and said, "I must have been a good mommy." I said, "You were. What made you say that?" She replied, "Because you take good care of me and your pawpaw (my dad)." If that's not a great success in life, I don't know what is.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
What sets me apart from other writers in my genre is my empathy and caregiver experience with two parents who have different levels of need simultaneously. Additionally, I am facilitating the care as an only child. There is no support system from siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren. Additionally, I provide support beyond the book by facilitating monthly caregiver support meetings via Zoom, and I offer individual caregiver coaching sessions to help families navigate daily challenges.
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR
Author Website: www.thecaregiver-consultant.com
Other: Services offered include: caregiver coaching sessions, caregiver workshop facilitation, monthly caregiver support group, and book-signing events.
