FORGET MEMORY BLOG

I take a brief moment, while the boys are still waking up and playing their video games, to look back at the whirlwind that was 2009.

A sincere and huge thank you to all of you who picked me up at airports, hosted meals, introduced me, drove me around, picked just the right hotels, shared post-talk drinks with me, shared their stories with me, and believed in the book.  Conferences and seminars are a whole lot of work to organize, and I felt so honored by your thoughtfulness and thoroughness.

Like Lokon and the gang at Scripps at Miami of Ohio
Linda Altmeyer and the gang at the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of Indiana
Beth Meyer Arnold and all the folks at the National Adult Day Services Association conference
Anne Robinson who arranged an incredible batting order at the Edna Gates Conference in Troy, MI
Joyce Konczyk who simply willed it all to happen in St. Paul
Helen Ramon whose vision and amazing fortitude has created a consortium of 10 museums in Wisconsin all doing programs for families with dementia
Teresa Mangum and those inspiring public scholars in Iowa City
The folks at Johns Hopkins who are getting the word and books out

I’ll be teaching a bit more next semester (guiding 36 students through a semester of reading, really reading plays) and I’m trying to stay a little closer to home for my boys (4 and 7).  But I’ll be at American Society on Aging in March; the University of Washington in late April; the National Assoc. of Activity Professionals in April; and possibly the Pioneer Network Conference in August.

But I’m hoping the book starts to get reviews and that those of you who have enjoyed it share the word with your friends and colleagues!   Ask your local library to buy it.  Donate a copy to your local chapter of the Alzhiemer’s Association.   Recommend it on your Facebook status update.  Recommend it to your local public affairs radio or tv show.  Togehter, we’ll keep alive the conversation about how to bring about a “cultural cure” for dementia!

Looking Forward!