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| Category: Memoir |
(requires Adobe Reader)
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| About the Book | |
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Watching her husband, Joe, regress from crossing the country on a bike to cheering him on as he navigated his wheelchair around the kitchen, CJ Golden had much to learn about caregiving. And she did - through her characteristic determination, quest for knowledge, boundless love and relentless optimism.
Within these pages the reader finds a balanced mix of somber reflections and light moments that highlight a very real passage in the lives of a husband and wife who love each other unequivocally. Golden shares the lessons she learned, the emotional and physical strain upon her heavily burdened shoulders, and the realization that, through it all, their connection and love have grown stronger. Joe’s motto for getting through life’s most trying times has always been, “one pedal at a time” - referring to his days traversing the country, for months at a time on the two wheels of his road bike. Thus, the title of this book and, hopefully, a philosophy that will help carry others through their own caregiving struggles. One Pedal at a Time speaks to caregivers who need a place to turn to for information, inspiration and hope, and who enjoy a good love story.
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| Reviews | |
This deeply personal account of CJ's caregiving journey throughout her husband's illness gives voice to fears, challenges and triumphs experienced by caregivers. The analogy of her husband's cross-country cycling illuminates their unceasing perseverance - moving forward one pedal at a time. Poignant and touching, a must read for every caregiver. This book shows a wife's deep love for her husband and the trial of illness they endured together. The reader gets a first-hand account of the rollercoaster of caregiving, bringing about much understanding of the emotions involved. Golden captures the agonizing ups and downs as she learns devastating news that changed her life, exposing raw emotions from fear, to peace, finding a new normal. The final chapters describing how she navigates the role of a patient advocate will help readers find their way with hope and resilience. Out of regret for loss, to thanksgiving for what we have, CJ's poignant journey provides insight for anyone taking on unexpected role of caregiver to a loved one. As caregiver to a husband post stoke, I found the book filled with practical advice and honest emotion that served me well.
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| About the Author | |
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As a former speech therapist/turned actor/turned writer, workshop facilitator and speaker CJ has always had a passion for connecting with others and finding ways to smooth their journeys through life. Her first book, Tao of the Defiant Woman, was born out of a personal need to find her own inner strength. It worked – for CJ and for thousands of other women through the book and her speaking engagements. She was then asked to bring her Tao and defiant attitude to teen and pre-teen girls. CJ eagerly accepted the challenge and wrote Tao-Girls Rule! which she shares with girls ages eight through eighteen at schools, national organizations and private groups. Recently she took the journey of her own life when becoming caregiver to her husband, Joe, after he suffered cancer-related strokes. Blogging about that, the greatest challenge of her life, she eventually turned her work into her newest book: One Pedal at a Time. |