Author, Shannon Wiersbitzky

In July I wrote a blogpost about a lovely book I'd read, written through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl, What Flowers Remember.

Shannon Wiersbitzky and I have recently come in contact and here is what she told me about her beautiful book. 

Tell me about your book, Shannon.

In What Flowers Remember, due to a shared love of flowers and gardening, Delia and her elderly neighbor Old Red Clancy dream up a seed and flower selling business. The two make quite a pair. He has the know-how and she has the get-up-and-go. But something is happening to Old Red. And the doctors say he can’t be cured. He’s forgetting places and names and getting cranky for no reason. As his condition worsens, Delia takes it upon herself to save as many memories as she can. Her mission is to gather Old Red’s stories so that no one will forget, and she corrals everybody in town to help.

What Flowers Remember is a story of love and loss, of a young girl coming to understand that even when people die, they live on in our minds, our hearts, and our stories.

What inspired you to write this story?

I spent my childhood summers with my grandparents in a small town in West Virginia, not totally unlike the fictional town of Tucker’s Ferry. As a result, my grandparents became like second parents. When I was in my twenties, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I hoped and prayed that he wouldn’t forget me. But of course, the disease doesn’t work that way, and I was forgotten along with everyone else he loved. The moment I realized he no longer knew who I was is something I will never forget. It broke my heart. And it was that nugget which inspired this story.

Could you share with readers how you conducted your research or share a few interesting tidbits you learned while researching?

I did research on Alzheimer’s as I wrote the novel. The Alzheimer’s Association has a wealth of information. While I knew what my grandfather experienced, I didn’t know if that was typical or if there were other signs and symptoms which might be worth including to make it more accurate. Most people only think of Alzheimer’s as losing memories, but it can often cause changes in mood, and even result in a loss of smell. I included both of those in the book.

Alzheimer’s isn’t typically a disease associated with children. Why include this as a topic in a middle-grade novel?  

I never set out to write a book “about Alzheimer’s”. I wanted to write a story that spoke to my own truth, about how it feels to be forgotten by someone you love. Within the context of fiction, I imagined what a young girl might do, and what an entire town might do, if they felt they could, in some way, prevent memories from being forgotten.

The reality is that according to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors will suffer from some type of dementia. One in three. That is an astounding number. It also means that there are many children who will be impacted by the disease. The current estimate is that 250,000 children ages 8-18 provide help to someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Whether it is grandparents or parents, or someone else they know and love. I hope the story will help kids and adults discuss the topic and help them, even in some small way, heal.

Thank you, Shannon, for introducing yourself to my readers.

If you know a preteen who is struggling to understand the reasons an aging loved one acts in uncharacteristic ways, I highly recommend Shannon's book, What Flowers Remember.

I Highly Recommend BLUE HYDRANGEAS by Marianne Sciucco

At the time I was caregiving for my parents, I read everything I could find to guide my journey. One of my favorite books was 

Blue Hydrangeas

by Marianne Sciucco

Today Marianne's book

has a beautiful new cover!

Cover design by Perry Elisabeth

What if the person who knew you best and loved you most forgot your face, and couldn't remember your name? A pair of retired Cape Cod innkeepers struggle with the wife's Alzheimer's. A beautiful love story written by a masterful storyteller who happens to be a nurse.

Amazon-rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

Goodreads rated 4.11 out of 5 stars

Enter the Goodreads drawing

 to win a copy of Blue Hydrangeas.

Readers say:

Heartbreakingly beautiful.

I felt drawn to Jack and Sara from page one and find myself wondering about them even now.

The book is very well-written and believable.

A heartfelt tender story that is entertaining and emotionally gripping!

A real page turner and it gives you insights of the daily life events living with this crushing disease called Alzheimer’s.

While not a "happily ever after" love story, Blue Hydrangeas is sure to be one you will ponder for some time after you have finished reading it.

Purchase Blue Hydrangeas in ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Amazon

Amazon UK

Audible

Barnes and Noble

iBooks

iTunes

Kobo

About the Author

Marianne Sciucco is not a nurse who writes but a writer who happens to be a nurse. A lover of words and books, she dreamed of becoming an author when she grew up but became a nurse to avoid poverty. She later brought her two passions together and writes about the intricate lives of people struggling with health and family issues. Her debut novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, is a Kindle bestseller, IndieReader Approved, a BookWorks featured book, a Self-e Selection, a 5-star Readers Favorite, and winner of IndieReCon’s Best Indie Novel Award, 2014. She's currently working on a YA novel, Swim Season, about the new girl on the team who challenges a longstanding school record, to be released in 2015. A native Bostonian, Marianne lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, and when not writing works as a campus nurse at a community college. She loves books, the beach, and craft beer, and especially enjoys the three of them together.

Connect with Marianne Sciucco

Why did I Write a Book about Alzheimer’s?

An Interview with Author Marianne Sciucco

Website

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Connect with Perry Elisabeth

Website

Ino's Love by Marianne Sciucco

If you are interested in books about eldercare, aging, and compassionate caregiving, you'll love Marianne Sciucco's latest release, Ino's Love. 

If you don't have time to read, you can download the audio version!

Below is a guest post by Marianne Scuicco about the premise of Ino's Love and the process of making her book into an audiobook.

I adore audiobooks, so naturally I want other audiobook lovers to be able to listen to my stories. This summer I teamed up with veteran television reporter and co-anchor Terry Murphy to bring my short story Ino’s Love to life. Terry is best known for her nine years (1990–1998) anchoring the tabloid show Hard Copy and, since 2003, reporting for the entertainment show Extra.   She has done a fantastic job with Ino's Love and I can't wait to hear what readers have to say. (Read on for my interview with Terry.)

Why turn a short story into a 28-minute audiobook?

Short stories are enjoying a resurgence these days as more and more people have instant access to books, including audiobooks, on their smart phones. Shorter reads are easier to digest; a reader can finish a story and experience a sense of resolution in a matter of minutes. And audiobooks make this even more convenient because they’re hands-free. I love listening to a great audiobook while I’m driving, cooking, and cleaning house, even when I’m lounging in the pool. Others do too. So making all of my books and stories into audiobooks is part of my marketing plan.

Of all of the stories I’ve written, Ino’s Love is one of my favorites. I absolutely loved writing it. I don’t remember what inspired me to create the characters of Ino and Ruby, but it must have been work-related because I was working as a hospital case manager at the time. My days were filled with helping patients (and their families) find ways to remain comfortable and cared for at home when faced with long-term illness or disability.

I also did a short spell as a home health nurse myself, and had a lot of experience as a nursing assistant caring for the elderly in nursing homes and as an LPN and RN in the hospital. I have a soft spot for patients like Ino. I respect those who care for them with integrity and help them to maintain their dignity.

This story displays the love that can exist between caregiver and client. There may be a few questionable actions on the part of Ino and Ruby (no spoilers!), but it’s the love between them that stays with the reader.

Ino’s Love was originally published in Kaleidoscope magazine, 2009.

Synopsis

Ino prepares a Christmas feast for her successful CEO son, but when he's too busy to spend the holiday with his mother, she shares her dinner and gifts with her home health aide. Sometimes, the people who love us best are not family.

Interview with narrator/producer Terry Murphy

What is it about Ino’s Love that motivated you to audition for the role of producer/narrator?

“Ino’s Love really touched my heart. Sadly today, so many adults either ignore or forget about their parents. And as I’ve gotten older, I realize it’s the little things from my sons that make me the happiest now. Ino also beautifully illustrates how simple gestures from a stranger can bring such joy to a senior citizen’s life.”

Were there any challenges to preparing for or performing this role?

“The biggest challenge for me was trying to capture Ino’s personality in my voice. And it was equally difficult alternating between Ruby and Ino’s ages. Ino’s Love was my first fiction recording, and I am very proud of my collaboration with you.”

Reviews

Since its publication as an ebook on Kindle in December 2013, Ino’s Love has been steadily gaining great reviews and is rated 4.9 stars on Amazon. Here’s what a few readers had to say:

“The author packs so much into so little space. This is what a short story should be.”

“Such a tender story of love...giving love, receiving love; reminding us again that it's not the "things" in our lives that are important, but the relationships.”

“A great writer can make you fall in love with a character quickly. Ms. Sciucco proves to be such a writer with this short story.”

“All I had left when the tale ended was the question: ‘Why isn't this included in the full disclosure for new home health aides?’ Because it is such a delightful short read, and yet it depicts just how important these people are to the patients they serve.”

Purchase Ino’s Love

Ino’s Love in audiobook is available on Amazon for $3.46, on Audible and iTunes  for $3.95. It’s also available as a Kindle book for $.99, and is free on Kindle Unlimited.

Connect with Marianne Sciucco

Twitter / Facebook / Website

Tough Decisions

I was lucky. My parents lived to a wonderfully ripe old age, with relatively good physical health. I'd been raised to respect them. They scrimped and saved, always wanting more opportunity for me than they had during the Depression and at the end of WWII. They made good decisions for my welfare when I was young. Like cheerleaders holding invisible pompoms, they supported my choices as I grew up and raised my own family. My parents and I never experienced much conflict.

When the tables gradually began to turn and I saw my parents living in unsafe situations––eating spoiled food, suffering falls and broken bones––I knew I must do all I could to protect those whom had given me their all.

Easier said than done. Even with my heart in the right place, it took over three years to move Mom and Dad. I worried while I was at work. I stopped at their house daily. I jumped in panic every time the phone rang, or a message flashed on the answering machine. I prayed an incident with driving wouldn't hurt them or someone else.

Inserting yourself into your parents lives, making decisions for the people whom always made good decisions for you is nothing short of make-your-heart-ache hard.

As caregivers we become members of a club that no one wants to join because membership means our loved ones have lost the ability to care for themselves. 

If we can be brave enough to share our struggles with others who are in a caregiving role we can understand the other's sorrow. Through that empathy we may gain strength, comfort and even some solutions. 

At the time my parents were ill with Alzheimer's, I didn't have the courage to share with others. I was convinced I wanted to protect their dignity. And honestly, I didn't have the time to share. I was working too hard to stay afloat. It's been five years since Mom died and four years since Dad's passing, but the experience of taking over a loved one's life never leaves us. Now those experiences pour out in Alzheimer's Daughter. 

World Alzheimer's Day

I've got to be honest, I did not know today was World Alzheimer's Day until I logged into my Twitter account this morning. 

On the heels of my first Alzheimer's Walk last Saturday, another day to raise attention to Alzheimer's/dementia sparks many thoughts. 

First, I'd love to recommend two books in support of caregivers. 

Vicki Tapia's Somebody Stole My Iron will touch your heart as she describes caring for both parents, first her father, then her mother as  her mom's mind dissolved away from the disease. Vicki's book describes the sadness caregivers experience as we watch the glow of recognition leave the eyes of the ones we love, as they become a shadow of themselves. 

Link to Somebody Stole My Iron

Marianne Sciucco's Blue Hydrangeas is fiction based upon Marianne's years of  experience working with Alzheimer's/dementia patients and their families. Her characters, Jack and Sarah, own a New England bed and breakfast until Sarah becomes confused with reservations and finances and is admitted to the hospital. Upon her discharge, Jack is faced with making difficult decisions for the love of his life. 

Link to Blue Hydrangeas

I read a blogpost in my Twitter feed this morning written by Pippa Kelly, @piponthecommons, a well-know Alzheimer's/dementia advocate from London, entitled ""Dementia's Where Cancer Was 40 Years Ago." Is It?" The post is well worth the read. I was intrigued by Pippa's conclusions, 

"If dementia is anywhere near where cancer was 30-40 years ago, it's in the realm of stigma reduction. The more we talk about dementia, the more we demystify it, the less fearful and more confident everyone becomes." 

Her term 'stigma reduction' will stick with me. 

I guess that's why there are organizations dedicated to Alzheimer's/dementia awareness. 

That's why we set aside days to ponder, pray, wish and strive for scientific advances and treatments. 

That's why we write blogs and books to share support. 

We do all of this to reduce the stigma of a disease that is painfully personal and private.

Thank you, readers, for all you do in your lives to bring closer the day that Alzheimer's and all dementias will have effective treatments and better survival rates like cancer does now.

Otherwise, you know, nobody's getting out alive.

Walking to End Alzheimer's

This year, for the first time, I participated in The Walk to End Alzheimer's sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association: Greater East Ohio Area Chapter. 

As I walked today with a friend who asked me to join her team, we talked about our journey. Both of us agreed that it was difficult to keep our heads above water while seeking to make the best decisions on behalf of the people who were our moral compass for our entire lives. But in the years since our parents' passing, the experience has never left us. Now we can focus on offering support to those going through the journey. 

In a sea of hundreds of other people wearing purple, we carried flowers. Purple signified the loss of a loved one, yellow designated current caregivers, supporters of the cause carried orange, and most importantly blue indicated people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. Little children, teens, adults, boomers and elderly, as well as a few canines walked. Most touching to me was the little girl who skipped in purple shoes, and a woman my own age who pushed her tiny withered mother the entire way in a wheel chair. Whenever this lady encountered rough terrain, or cement steps, strapping teenage boys helped lift her mother's chair.

This event demonstrated the best in a community coming together for a good cause and multi-generational caring. I hope to participate  every year. Thank you Alzheimer's Association for making an outreach like this possible.