Funny Stories Needed For Deborah Levin’s Forthcoming Book About Alzheimer’s
Written by admin2 on September 1st, 2009Filed under: Uncategorized
Quoting Deb Levin, on KnowItAlz.com:
As an artist manager I represented Matt Groening, creator of The Simpson’s cartoons and quadriplegic cartoonist, John Callahan. As part of my work, I shepherded the publication of over 15 books through the representation of very successful New York literary agents and publishers, including William Morrow, Random House, Ballantine Books, and Vintage. I was also able to receive a great amount of publicity for my clients that included a profile on 60 Minutes, People Magazine, Business Week, and the cover story for the Sunday New York Times. Now I am working on a book about my mother living with Alzheimer’s and the stories of others dealing with a loved one affected by this disease. I am looking for real life humorous stories relating to Alzheimer’s for this book, Remembering Alzheimer’s. I want to publish a book about the personal and often humorous side of Alzheimer’s, a dark and serious disease but with a slant that helps the caregiver breathe deeper and survive stronger. I hope that my desire to receive stories that offer laughter is not misconstrued as offensive. My hope is to provide levity. The intent is not to make fun of any one’s situation but hopefully by laughing we will survive easier, talk more openly, and be better caretakers of ourselves and others. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago. My mother is not who she used to be, but once I began to see her sense of humor, which still exists, and share her stories—often back at her and often with others, I began to feel healthier. This ability to see the humor and the silliness has allowed me to be with my mother, rather than run away from fear and frustration. I have been a better daughter and have given my mother better care. My mother’s condition is not a secret nor should my mother be a secret. We know the horrors; I want to share the comical which will open doors of the unspoken. I treat my mother with dignity and honor, but I can still see utter madness and craziness of her behavior—which can be very funny.
.
Please share your stories with Deborah at http://rememberingalzheimers.typepad.com.
.
Read other people’s stories here
.
16
PM
My Mom, “Peggity”, began having Dementia at age 48 (OY!) – she is 90 today – BUT still recognizes those she has always loved and is pure distilled sweetness. She loves to laugh – aka Washoe’s “More Tickle” – that ability in her at least, is surely last to go. I think watching Ruth Gordon in Where’s Poppa is great therapy for caretakers. PS I desperately need to contact artist John Callahan – am doing mega show, “What Makes Us Smile?” at our national museum. Do you have contact? Best of everything on your new book.