WELCOME
to ABeautifulVoice.org
This e-magazine will feature research findings, media stories and articles about the main themes which enriched our days together following Mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. These themes included being together in a meaningful place, the experience of enjoying good food together, and mindful attention to the needs of the present moment. We made every attempt to treat these “daily activities” as higher level experiences, e.g., using Mother’s best silverware – always reserved for special guests – for every meal together.
We enjoyed reading, poetry, biography, and journaling, but our greatest moments of pure joy were found in making music together at the piano. Based on Mother’s interests, these activities for how to most joyfully spend these precious days unfolded naturally. Being “real life pleasures” which make life worth living, they were an integral part of our daily agenda. They enhanced the quality of our experience for the two people at the very heart of the care team – Mother and Dad.
In late 1998, very little was yet to be found through Google and Yahoo search engines as to how to live our best life as three very independent adults in an intentional intergenerational household! How did we manage? Dignity became a mantra: …“It’s about dignity.” And gratitude was key – frequently expressed and documented in the daily entries to Memory Journals maintained for our parents over the years.
From the outset, a recurring question during this period was always, “What can be learned from this experience as it relates to one’s own health and well-being?” Themes which frequently came to mind based on interests grounded in post-graduate studies included 1) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; 2) the environmental impact upon our health; 3) the interconnectedness of all people and planet; 4) the lifelong research of social scientist Riane Eisler, JD, on partnership, caregiving, and human rights.
Upon moving into our modest home next to the old farm where we had once lived – and which we had all loved – Mother, Dad, and I continued to be heavy consumers of the daily news. Of special interest to us were those current events which impacted not only one living with dementia, but also those which impacted other marginalized people at home and around the globe. Often invisible and vulnerable, they became our larger community.
By the mid-2000’s, the voices of the dementia influencers selected for inclusion in this e-magazine began to resonate on a personal level. Our influencers were now making the news and prompting culture change in dementia care.
Our story is just one of thousands upon thousands of stories – each one unique – about people living with dementia. They are the teachers and the voice for change – if we would but listen.
The inspiration for creating the site is Mother’s beautiful voice which guided us through every day of our incredible sojourn together and challenged us to be the best we could be. She was the exemplary teacher until her final breath.
PS – Our themes are centuries old and known to be beneficial health and lifestyle practices. Our process will be to curate from many sources and reflect many voices – as science-based information continues to emerge. Our vision is for common knowledge – now centuries old – to become common practice.
