People are Saying...

Alzheimer's Disease is a terrible thing that obviously has horrible impacts on the people who suffer from it but also on their caregivers. Coping with all the problems and stress of caregiving can be extremely difficult. Writing, especially through journals and poetry, is one outlet many have found to relieve this stress.

In Breaking the Silence, Frances Kakugawa has provided not only excellent examples of her own and other caregivers journal entries and poetry, but also clear and helpful instruction for how to start. It's an extremely beautiful, moving, and helpful book, even if you are not a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer's, dementia, or similar debilitating problems. Here is the praise readers are giving it:

“I love the format! The writer's sensitivity and transparency  in her emotions are heart rending and touching. Others can easily relate to her struggles with
grief and know they are not alone.”

“OMG! I hold in my hands a national treasure!!! It'll probably take me till next year before I catch my breath.”

“I decided not to open the cover since I will be tempted to read it. Guess my resolve did not last very long. I felt the book was calling saying look at what is inside. I will leaf through it and do my household chores. Well I started with the first page and before I realized it, I spent an hour reading and the pages just wouldn't let me put it down. I finally stopped because I had to do my chores. I'm certain everyone will enjoy the book. I give five stars for the portion I have read.”

“I think the book is very enlighting to the struggles that a caregiver goes through caring for an aging parent. I am enjoying the poetery as well as the stories. This is a gallant effort to help caregivers know that they are not alone and that there is life after the death of a loved one.”

“I shed tears when I read about Ruth, for you so eloquently and gently portrayed her so well, her soft, loving nature and her very Japanese demeanor. I often wonder about her husband and sons.”

“Just got your beautiful book yesterday—love the total look of it.”

“I love the cover for it reminds me of a deep forest where Alzheimer patients slip into, but have difficulty coming out.”

“I finished reading your book a while ago.  I just loved it!  I  loved how you grouped the poems together and gave an introduction to what they  were about.  It made the poems more tangible for me.  I also really  liked how you could read just a few before falling to sleep at night, and  somehow felt so calmed by knowing you were not alone in your fears.  I've  shared the book with my friends, my parish nurse and my folks.  Mom said,  "Oh, I wish I'd had something like this when I was caring for Grandma".  I  wish she did too!”