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Page 1 of 2 Jeff and I know lots of terrific people who give so much of their time and energy helping families cope with life transition and caregiving issues. But we only know one amazing lady who turned a catastrophic event into the birth of a magazine that would assist families of loved ones with her unique blend of sense and sensibility; and she just dropped by for a latte and a chat…
Jeff: René, we’re so glad you’re here. Jackie and I still remember picking up your FOLO Magazine before we ever met you and reading your description of how it all began. Will you share that with our friends here today. René: Absolutely. I wanted our readers to know that I had gone through the same emotional upheaval that they had. So I described my feelings as a new caregiver by saying, "Imagine this..." One day, a single event takes place and in a flash your life has changed. It happens every day. Winning the lottery, finding a job, falling in love, having a child -- some are more probable than others -- but all resulting in dramatic changes in your life. How difficult is it to imagine being a millionaire, dream of our perfect mate, or predict where our family should live? You could fill in the blanks: “If I won the lottery I would ___. My perfect mate is someone who ___. My ideal family setting would be ___.” It’s not hard, is it? Most of us could answer without hesitation. . . But now imagine a life-altering event that is unplanned, unwanted, and irreversible. In my family it was a sudden, catastrophic, stroke. In one instant everything changed. Lengthy hospitalization, rehab, and eventually long-term care brought a new reality into my family’s lives. There was so much to learn. What I learned quickly was that there was no frame of reference by which I could plan. This event was unlike any other plan that I imagined for my life. Long-term care, assisted living, and similar lifestyle scenarios are largely unto themselves. Unless you are directly involved, it is too easy to pretend they don’t exist. Jackie: And so began the creation and birthing of a magazine devoted to helping families of loved ones. From the moment I met René it was so obvious that her commitment to bringing the highest quality information and resources to other families through this beautiful magazine was, and continues to be, a shining example of how one person can lead the way – her way – and make a difference in the lives of so many other people. We hope all of you will visit and get to know FOLO magazine and its guiding light, René Cantwell.
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