My Story: The "Why" Behind The Caregiver Guide

Mom with her father, June 1946, England

This guide is more than just a professional method for me; it's deeply personal.

My mother and I had a very difficult and complicated relationship. She was emotionally abusive for my entire life, and as a result, we hadn't spoken for many years. We reconnected only after her dementia diagnosis.

In those early days of reconnection, I felt lost. The mother I knew was fading, but the painful history between us was not. I started taking out old photos during our visits, not as a photo organizer, but simply as a daughter searching for a new way to connect.

That process changed everything—mostly, it changed me.

As I gathered these photos, I saw images of her as a child. For the first time, I was able to see her not just as the mother who had hurt me, but as a 'hurt young girl' herself, who grew up without the resources to heal.

These photos became our bridge. They allowed us to sit together in a shared, present moment, free from the weight of our past. It didn't erase what happened, but it allowed for a new, gentler connection. It was as healing for me as it was engaging for her.

This process was a revelation. It was powerfully healing, not just for her, but for me. It gave me the power to reframe a lifetime of pain, see her as the person she once was, and find some peace. It fundamentally transformed my own story.

I built this guide from that transformation. This is the guide I wish I'd had. My mission is to give you these tools because I know this process works.

Whether your relationship is full of joy or marked by deep, complex pain, this is your path. It is a way to build a new, powerful bridge to your loved one. And in doing so, it is a path to finding a new, healing understanding of your own story.

I’ve turned this process into a 6-step guide for caregivers. It’s coming soon. To be the first to know — and to instantly receive my free Guest Guide for a Meaningful Visit — please join the waitlist here.