I wrote Keeper of the Clouds as part of my caregiving experience to my mother who, at 57 years old was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Fairly early in my caregiving journey I realized that the methodologies and strategies I was offered as a caregiver didn't work for me as a person and as my mother's daughter. I wanted to find meaningful ways to connect with my mother, who happened to also be my closest friend. As a literary major and an artist I found taking photos, writing about my experiences, composing songs and making up games I could play together with my mother far more engaging and fun than going to therapy. Later of course I was able to appreciate the therapeutic and healing qualities arts have.

Writing Keeper of the Clouds and mentoring Evi Tampold through her final project for Alpha II Alternative School. A project that resulted in transforming my short memoir about me experience with my mother into a Graphic Medicine Memoir has become a meaningful part of my engagement with my mother as I would show her the images and ask for her opinion. Even when she was no longer able to communicate verbally, through her body language and facial expressions she would communicate her content or discontent. In this way, my mother took an active part in producing Keeper of the Clouds and so becoming an agent of change in our story.

I'm proud of our mutual artistic endeavor and encourage you to read it and allow yourself to be inspired by it.

I'm happy to offer consultation and guidance on how to get started on creating your own graphic medicine memoir and am happy to support you and your loved ones in this creative process. Read more on this service here.

You can hear more about my caregiver's journey in my TEDx Talk

You can also book a lecture and a workshop for your organization here.