“…experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.”
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture
About the Author
JUDITH ALLEN SHONE
“I want to touch the heart of the world and make it smile.“
Charles de Lint
I, too, want to touch the heart of my readers, caregivers, and their support teams, to help take away their fears and misunderstandings, so they can smile again.
Three years after retiring, Judith Allen Shone unexpectedly became a sole caregiver for her loved one with unanticipated illnesses, a role that has lasted well over nine years, so far. Her story reveals reflective moments from the unforeseen emotional chaos that materialized while she cared for her loved one with COPD, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, cancer, and anxiety, with occasional mysteries arising.
Shone’s first publication, the memoir-style series, Accepting the Gift of Caregiving, begins with “Is There Any Ice Cream?” The second book in the series, “Did You Hide the Cookies?” recounts stories of emotional periods during the later stages of her love’s memory loss and illnesses. In her two books, Shone draws from her personal experiences to lovingly share the value of having lifeline friends, of being social, and of finding support.
Her books underscore the importance of finding a local Alzheimer Society office, confirming her belief that no one should have to walk their path afraid or alone. Using her creative ingenuity, as well as an initiative born out of a need to share experiences with others, she was compelled to share the stories of their journey hoping to help any others who seemed to resonate with her stories.
Most recently, it has been an honor to be introduced, twice, by AlzAuthors, a group of authors writing about their association with Alzheimeri’s disease from a vast variety of perspectives. I an humbled to be among this group as one of their AlzAuthors.
When Danielle Arbour, Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society Hamilton Halton asked me to do a YouTube video interview for the Halton Hills Library about a Conversation for Caregivers, I was overjoyed to share with others the wonderful rock the Society has been in my life during my journey. After two months online. it has had over 1200 views. I think we touched a nerve, indicating that caregivers craved hearing from other caregivers about issues that concern all of them.
Shone graduated with a BA in Art from Colorado State University in 1965. Before being a caregiver, this former website designer, writer and art teacher spent over forty-two years in sales, advertising and marketing for exhibit firms and for the corporate world in the US and Canada. She has two grown children, two grandchildren and currently lives with her love (and loving memory of their little dog) in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
I hope you will read our stories. My hope is that you will realize I’m offering reassurance by reaching out so you don’t feel alone.
Thank you. Judy Shone
The Author Bio © Judith Allen Shone 2019-2022
caregiver-books.com 