Pivoting on Pins and Needles - the life of caregiver Erika Watson
Explicit content warning
11/09/20 • 75 min
J Smiles and Erika have been thick as theives for over 20 yrs. Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority cemented their relationship. But as only kids who love to travel, who appreciate fine dining, who have never missed a proper brunch and who seamlessly merge Rosé with a Rick Ross beat... they take the listener on Erika's abrupt realization of her mom's cognitive decline as if recounting one of their jaunts in Washington, D.C.
Erika's dry wit mixes very well with J's storytelling. Even though Erika is typically private, J Smiles, eases her into revealing one detail, one day at a times. Eventually we learn of Ms. Watson's membership in the sandwich generation. Often exhausted, confused and forced to execute under duress, Erika pivots with passion because her mom needs her. Several stories leave J gasping for air - grateful for levity.
###
Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation"on Getvokl, @ 9p EST USA:
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"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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J Smiles and Erika have been thick as theives for over 20 yrs. Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority cemented their relationship. But as only kids who love to travel, who appreciate fine dining, who have never missed a proper brunch and who seamlessly merge Rosé with a Rick Ross beat... they take the listener on Erika's abrupt realization of her mom's cognitive decline as if recounting one of their jaunts in Washington, D.C.
Erika's dry wit mixes very well with J's storytelling. Even though Erika is typically private, J Smiles, eases her into revealing one detail, one day at a times. Eventually we learn of Ms. Watson's membership in the sandwich generation. Often exhausted, confused and forced to execute under duress, Erika pivots with passion because her mom needs her. Several stories leave J gasping for air - grateful for levity.
###
Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation"on Getvokl, @ 9p EST USA:
https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up
Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x
"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw
Patreon: https://patreon.com/jsmilesstudios
TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!
Previous Episode
Uh oh! Zetty wants a smart phone.
Zetty throws J Smiles off with a request for a cell phone. What seems like a simple ask turns into a quest for the holy grail. For Zetty, J soon realizes it is a dignity issue too.
J Smiles takes listeners on a rollercoaster journey of communication product assessments. She points out design features created to improve the lives of seniors. Question is does J agree. Will any of the items help a dementia/ALZ sufferer like Zetty?
J Smiles leans into her product design and engineering expertise to dive deep into the market --- putting Zetty first, she finds a solution in the oddest place.
###
Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation" on Getvokl, @ 9p EST USA:
https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up
Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x
Jitterbug Cell Phone for Seniors:
https://www.jitterbugdirect.com
Gizmo GPS Watch for Kids:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/reviews/verizon-gizmowatch-smartwatch-verizon-wireless-black-with-blue-band/6300212
"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw
Patreon: https://patreon.com/jsmilesstudios
TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!
Next Episode
Rolling with Resistance - caregiver Omar Hamilton
Omar Hamilton joins J Smiles on a deep dive into the life of a child flying blindly into the foggy cognitive abyss of a parent. Omar's dad was living independently and quite self sufficient. Or so everyone thought.
Omar, a classic New Yorker, moved swiftly as soon as his father's decline was obvious. But Omar was perplexed. He saw his dad often. They dined weekly, spoke daily --- how did things unravel so much, so quickly?
J gets Omar to reveal the hassle of relocation, real estate, the worry of 3am calls from the police, selecting doctors, hiring caregivers, the mounting economics of private pay, balancing his career and more.
J Smiles and Omar met decades ago at Howard University. The comfort and warmth of their foundation makes the conversation flow smoothly recounting sensitive caregiving moments. Omar has not shared his story publicly until The Parenting Up Family, he trusts that this is a safe space.
Resistance seems to meet him at every turn --- from every person. Listen to how he rolls with it, propelled by love.
Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation"on Getvokl, @ 9p EST USA:
https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up
Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x
"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw
Patreon: https://patreon.com/jsmilesstudios
TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!
Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles - Pivoting on Pins and Needles - the life of caregiver Erika Watson
Transcript
Yet I'm still living Ne York, I called my aunt's house n Mother's, Mother's Day and alk to the whole family like I ormally would. And my aunt omes to the phone and she gives e this syrupy sweet- Hi, weetie pie how are yo
J SmilesNow is this an aunt that you're that you talk to often?
ErikaListen Don't worry
J SmilesIs
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