Up-coming Lecture Dates

Drop by and say hello…these are my Fall lecture events:

 

Sat., Sept. 20 at 1:30 pm

Basically Books

160 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, Hawaii 96720

I will be on a panel with other authors to discuss memoir writing based on Writing the Hawai’i Memoir by Darien Gee

Contact:Christine Reed

808-961-0144, Fax: 808-935-1553

Toll-free: 1-800-903-6277

bbinfo@hawaiiantel.net

www.basicallybooks.com

 

Wed., Sept 24: Hilo Hawaii @ 5 p.m.

The Art of Caregiving…

Hilo Alzheimer’s Association

County Office of Aging: Kinoole St.
Contact: Chris Ridley: 808-443-7360
Mon., Tues., Sept 29 & 30: Honolulu HI

Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society 18th Biennial Conference: Imagine 2030…Mobilizing

Our Communities Across Generations.

My session: The Future of Caregiving: Writing and Poetry to Preserve Our Humanity”

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach
Tues., Oct 7: Honolulu HI

Kapoho, Memoir of a Modern Pompeii

15 Craigside, 3:30pm

Contact: Cookie Nakai: cookie.nakai@15craigside.org

 

Fri., Oct 17: Leeza Gibbons radio Talk Show: Leeza’s Care Connection

Poetry and Caregiving

Time: 10 – 11 a.m.

 

Mon., Nov 17: San Mateo

Kimochi: 453 North San Mateo Dr

Time: 1 – 2:30

Title: I Am Somebody: Dignity in Caregiving

Contact: Liz Bissell (650-346-0849)

 

Tues. Nov 18: San Francisco

San Francisco Family Caregiver Alliance

1715 Buchanan St San Francisco

Title: I Am Somebody: The Art of Caregiving

Contact: Fumiko DiDomizio (425-931-2294) ex.127

 

 2015 ( Details to follow )
Maui

May:

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council. Inc.
Kahului, Maui
Executive Dir: John Tomoso

November:

Maui County Office of Aging

 

 

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Frances’ next event: June 29, 2014

Announcement by the Unitarian Universalist Society

2425 Sierra Blvd.

Sacramento, CA

Ph: 916-483-9283

 

 

June 29
The Gift of Caregiving
Ms. Frances Kakugawa, speaking, Lay Leader Mary Howard
Nicholas Dold, guest pianist

10-11 a.m.
Discussion follows at 11:30

Ms. Kakugawa is a poet, writer and teacher.  She’s the author of books for adults and for children about the experience of caring for loved ones with a long-term illness, about the Hawaiian town of her childhood which was buried under a lava flow, and about the challenges of the teacher-student relationship.  For five years, she was the main caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease. She writes a monthly Dear Frances for Caregivers column for the Hawai’i Herald.
A longer talk with discussion will follow the service at 11:30.  Don’t miss this rare appearance by a celebrated speaker.

We’re happy to welcome Nicholas Dold back after his first year working at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and before he heads east for the Duxbury Music Festival where he is on the accompanist faculty.

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Frances in L.A. Genki Conference

To my L.A. friends, please join me at the following conference. Will be giving a keynote address:

Genki Conference: noon-4:30 p.m.

April 27, 2014.

Venice Japanese Community Center
12448 Braddock Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90066

The Genki Conference is designed to help you live life to the fullest by addressing the eight dimensions of wellness: physical, occupational, financial, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental.
Caring for a loved one can be physically and emotionally challenging. But knowing what to do, what to expect, and who to depend on may help lighten the load on your shoulders. This conference offers tools and practical resources with compassion for current and future caregivers.
Keynote Presentations:

Family Dynamics in Caregiving
Christina Irving, Family Consultant, Family Caregiver Alliance
Are you caregiving from a long distance, thinking about having your parent move in with
you, or having to make decisions for your loved one? These are common issues many
caregivers go through which may create tension among other family members. Learn
how caregiving affects family dynamics and how you can communicate with family
members effectively.
Please note that the event will be filmed and /or photographed. By registering,
you agree that we may use your likeness to promote Keiro and its events and services.

 

I Am Somebody: Dignity in Caregiving
Frances Kakugawa, poet and author of eleven books, three on caregiving
Come for a poignant, inspirational session which will remind you that you are not alone. Glean wisdom from a seasoned caregiver who has dealt with some of the same experiences, feelings, and struggles that you do–and triumphed.
Schedule
Noon–1:30 p.m. Registration
Lunch and Resource Fair
1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Program
 Mr.  Ms.  Mrs. Name:____________________________
Address:_______________________________________
_______________________________________
E-mail address:_________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________
Registration Form
Please cut off and return
Genki Conference: Car egiver’s Ed ition
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Space is limited and reservations are required.
Please register by one of the following methods:
• Register online at http://www.keiro.org/genki-conference-registration
• Email kkusano@keiro.org with the subject “Conference
Registration”’ and include name, phone number, mailing address,
your first and second choices of breakout session, and indicate if
you would like consultations from an attorney or a pharmacist.
• Call (323) 980-2353
• Mail the form to:
Genki Conference: Caregiver’s Edition
325 Boyle Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033
I would like a free consultation with a(n):
 Attorney  Pharmacist

Breakout Session (choose one):
1st Choice:  A  B  C  D 2nd Choice:  A  B  C  D
Breakout Session Topics Speakers Description:
A: Hands-On Caregiving
Demonstrations
Barbara Fukuji, P.T. , Whittier Hospital Medical Center
Cheryl Nakagiri, P.T., DG Therapy Group
Myra Chang, O.T., Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Ali Kamada, P.T., Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Janis Ozaki, P.T., Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Learn how to assist your loved one safely
and comfortably.

B: Age in Place Kathleen Cole, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM &
Shirley Nakaki, P.T., CAPS, ECHM
Home Accessibility Specialists & Partners in
Adapt=Ability, Solutions for Accessible Living
Learn how to make your home work for
you with a focus on safety, comfort and
convenience while embracing the concepts
of healthy aging.

C Options and Resources for
Long-Term Caregiving
Claudia Ellano-Ota, LCSW, Executive Director,
Caregiver Resource Center – Orange County
Learn what options are available for
long-term care and how much they cost.

D Health Care Reform
and You
Shawn Miyake, CEO, Keiro Senior HealthCare Learn how the Affordable Care Act impacts
you and our community.
FREE for All Attendees:

• Bento Lunch sponsored by an
anonymous donor
• Program
• Resource Fair
• Health Screenings by
• Free consultations with
estate planning attorneys and
pharmacists (available by
appointment only)

Win the all-new
2010 Honda
Civic Hybrid

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November: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

To  caregivers who are using their pens to  preserve the humanities  of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illness, this is for you.

HELP!

SOS!

I’m shipwrecked

On this Isle of Caregivers

Send Help!

 

A bottle, sealed with wax

Washes up to shore. Inside,

A pen and sheets of blank paper.

©frances kakugawa

 

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Two Normals in Alzheimer’s

My mother said to a minister a month before she died, “Don’t let me be forgotten.” She’ll be pleased

to know she is helping me make a difference among loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. Our gratitude to

journalist Karleen Chinen and the Hawaii Herald.

 

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Frances and Wordsworth in Elk Grove

Wordsworth the Poet and I will be so delighted to see you in Elk Grove.

Saturday, September 21.

We’ll be signing books at the Jan Ken Po Gakko Arts & Crafts Fair

from 9:30 – noon.  The fair is from 9 – 3:30.

Site:

Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation Facility

9040 High Tech Court

Elk Grove CA  95758

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August Events

From Asian Community Center: Registration by phone
MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP
A SHOVEL TO DIG ROOTS

If you don’t preserve stories, who will? Frances will help you find that shovel and pen to start digging and writing. Frances recently published an award-winning book, Kapoho: Memoir of a Modern Pompeii.

 

Date: Thursday, Aug 22
Time: 10:00-11:30am
Cost: $10
For more information, please contact (916) 393-9026 x 330
ACC Park City, 7375 Park City Drive, Sacramento , CA 95831

******************************************************************************

DIGNITY IN CAREGIVING:

Come rise about the burden of caregiving. Author/Caregiver, Frances, is here to share her poetry and stories on how she, a scared and powerless person, transformed into a capable caregiver by embracing caregiving with dignity and compassion. She will hold a writing workshop for those who are interested.

Date: Thursday, Aug 29
Time: 10:00-11:30am
Cost: $5
For more information, please contact (916) 393-9026 x 330
ACC Park City, 7375 Park City Drive, Sacramento , CA 95831

 

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Poet Caregivers

Conversations with Caregivers

Please join these conversations on the power of poetry for caregivers. The first site begins with:

“I told myself, I don’t care how ugly and hard caregiving can be. It’s okay because I’m writing these poems. It’s the process of giving life to something versus the process of dying.” ~ Frances H. Kakugawa 

 

 http://jamarattigan.com/2013/03/08/friday-feast-caregiving-through-poetry/#comment-21725

 

This second site presents  a  radio interview by Fannie Cohen of  NY on how caregiving takes us to a higher level when we become poet/caregivers…..Go to Looks Like You Made It

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/doing-it/id605177565

I am surrounded by individuals who know what it means to  be human and work at preserving that humanity.

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My e-books

Hello Everyone, My books are now available as e-Books. Check out the site below, posted by Watermark Publishing.

http://bookshawaii.net/frances-kakugawa

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November: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month:Post #4

The Forever Hurrah…….

As November, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month comes to a close, for caregivers and their loved ones, awareness  does not end,  not even after death.

Caregiving is like a river, but not  a free-flowing river, for there are obstructions from the bank, attorneys, the medical world, siblings, family, and the disease itself, among many unexpected “others”.  So we humanize care giving the best we can by  not adding our own obstacles.  And sometimes, we stand up tall, both caregiver and the one being cared for and we let our voices be heard.

 

                                The Steward’s Reply

 

The day approaches when beings

from beyond the stars come to ask,
“why should the likes of you,
defective and dangerous as you are,
be permitted to spread beyond
the light of your dying sun
and onto the wonder of the heavens?”

In reply, a single caregiver
stepped out from the cloud of humanity
as if to say, “We are the Stewards of Mortality.
In all the limitless expanse of your travel,
the countless species of your wondrous universe,
have you ever met the likes of us?”

 

                by Red Slider

               page 108: Breaking the Silence

*****************************************************

                        Hey Alzheimer’s

 

Hey Alzheimer’s,

Sitting there so smug, gloating

Over the memories

You have stolen, the years we have lost.

Do I have a story to tell you.

 

You see, Alzheimer’s,

What you think you took, we kept.

Every memory we secreted away

In our children, our friends,

Our loved ones.

 

You could not rob us, though we forgot.

You could not erase us, though we could not write.

You could not silence, though we could not speak.

The stories, the laughter, the moments that passed

Into their keep, you could not steal

Into a night of silence.

 

Look at me, Alzheimer’s.

My life is restored, remembered, reconstructed,

With tools of love, dignity and laughter.

A house of memories is built

By my children, and their children

For generations to come.

 

So here I am, Alzheimer’s,

With family, friends, and loved ones.

What you thought you stole

Is still here. We are all still here.

So Alzheimer’s,

What do you think of that?

 

                        by Frances Kakugawa

                        Page 167:Breaking the Silence

 

 

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