Janet Edmunson -- Author, Speaker

TV Interview! Listen to Janet on the NBC affiliate in Portland, ME, WCSH6 show "207."

NPR Radio Interview! Listen to Janet on the "Maine Things Considered" program of the NPR affiliate in Portland, ME, MPBN
click here to listen

Radio Interview! Listen to Janet Edmunson on Jacqueline Marcell's internet radio program, "Coping with Caregiving"

Available for download as PDF:
Full Media Kit

Radio interviewers,
download questons as PDF:
Question list for radio

Download print-quality images:
Author portrait
Book cover

Read Janet's published articles:
On caring for caregivers
On alternative therapies

Janet Edmunson is currently available for media interviews and personal appearances.

Please contact:

Janet Edmunson, JME Insights
508-308-4195
janet@janetedmunson.com
Mail: P.O. Box 2496, South Portland, ME 04116-2496

A Perfect Score for Finding Meaning With Charles!
Writers Digest 14th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards
On a scale of 1 to 5 [with 1 meaning “poor” and 5 meaning “excellent”] evaluation as follows:

Structure and organization: 5
Grammar: 5
Cover Design: 5

Judge’s comments:

1) What did you like about this book?
“I liked that the story was told from start to finish, ending not with Charles’ death, but with how his wife and caregiver Janet went on. The story was poignant and emotional without ever bring sentimental. It was also honest. Janet showed that, despite a positive attitude, things don’t always go well simply because of that. She was honest about the fact that there were times caring for her very sick husband seemed too much; it did for others as well. Edmunson shows that this is part of such caregiving, walking with a person to the end and then going on.

2) How can this author improve this book?
“I rarely say this in regard to any manuscript, unpublished or published, but there isn’t anything about this book I’d change; structure, grammar, and cover design are all excellent, and the telling sections of the story is, too; the book strikes the right tone between emotional and practical, sections are a good length, the story is engaging. I’d leave it as is — it is a finished product.”

New Review:

Written by inspirational speaker Janet Edmunson, Finding Meaning With Charles: Caregiving With Love Through A Degenerative Disease is a personal testimony concerning the experience of caring for a loved one through the progression of Parkinson's Plus syndrome. The importance of the serenity prayer -- "To accept what I cannot change" -- the test of faith in God that is watching a loved one gradually die, and the little day-to-day aspects of life. A profound and soul-baring memoir of observing twilight years.

-- Midwest Book Review
November 2006, on the Biography Bookshelf

Read more reviews

Current press release:

For release May 2006

Announcing the publication of Finding Meaning With Charles:
Caregiving With Love Through A Degenerative Disease
By Janet Edmunson

Publication date - August 2006
$15.95, soft cover, 6x9, 306 pgs.
ISBN# 1-9778133-0-4

This is a new title by Janet Edmunson, a resident of Danvers, MA, and Portland, ME.

Edmunson, an inspirational speaker, has over 30 years experience in health promotion.

She is currently Director of Prevention & Wellness for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. She cared for her husband Charles through a debilitating and devastating neurological disease that ultimately lead to his death in the same year the couple would have celebrated their twentieth anniversary.

Charles was known for his progressive and uniquely effective management and leadership theories, having authored a book, and lectured widely on the topic. He left a rich legacy and many admirers, but one aspect of the legacy was just for his wife.

Through the course of his life and then his disease, Edmunson learned the keys to becoming a supportive caregiver for a loved one who is terminally ill.

It wasn't easy. As Edmunson saw the man she shared a life with become progressively more ill, he became more and more dependent on her and others. She helped him through his emotional frustrations and physical degeneration while wrestling with her own challenges and emotions. Their story illustrates for others how to do more than just cope with an illness. The book teaches readers to help their loved one fulfill whatever aspirations are still possible, which helps them to become stronger due to the experience.

Throughout Finding Meaning With Charles, Edmunson offers Caregiving Affirmations with each chapter, lessons learned from grappling with the issues involved with catastrophic illness, and she passes these lessons on to others who might be in a similar situation now or in the future, whether caring for a sibling, parent, child or a spouse. She discusses how to deal with doctors, telling the family about illness, and how to care for someone and help them keep their dignity. Edmunson also lets readers into the wonderful story of the couple's courtship and marriage, as well as through the challenges they faced when Charles became ill.

"If you don't stay positive, what's the alternative?" Edmunson asks. "You'd just spiral down into depression and I didn't want to go there." This book helps those in caregiving roles get through the hard times, stay centered and positive.

Finding Meaning With Charles is an inspirational guidebook for anyone who needs to learn how to help a loved one and themselves, as Edmunson says, "get to the other side." It uses one woman's experience with her husband's illness and death, to share larger spiritual truths, which do provide comfort as well as resources for readers.

For more information on Janet Edmunson, to arrange an interview, or request a book and media kit, please contact Deidre Randall at Blueline Publicity by telephone at (603) 205-0552, or email: drandall@bluelinepublicity.com.

Distributed by Biblio Distribution (800) 462-6420
www.bibliodistribution.com

Praise for Finding Meaning With Charles:

Unlocks the reader's vulnerabilities as the sharing of everyday details is interwoven with larger spiritual understandings regarding the nature of disease, loss, and relationship. The author has used the complexity and richness of the experience to "make meaning" and to accomplish the difficult task in grief of holding the past and bringing it forward to the now.

-- Edith L. Murray
Hospice Administrator, Wayside Hospice, Wayland, MA

This uplifting book will encourage caregivers to make the most of their situation, help them understand the difficulties they'll face, and teach them what they can do to help their loved one achieve personal aspirations.... A "must read" for caregivers of degenerative neurological diseases.

-- Richard Zyne
D.Min. Executive Director, Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

I have walked in Janet's shoes as a caregiver. Caregiving is a true test of love and endurance. As a caregiver, you will be overwhelmed. This book will give you an incredible sense of peace and acceptance and the affirmations will bring you comfort. I wish the book were available when I struggled with my journey.

-- Patti Ryan
loving companion and caregiver for Leo Hamel during his neurological disease.

Send a message to Janet
P.O. Box 2496, South Portland, ME 04116-2496
© 2005 Janet Edmunson. All rights reserved.

Janet Edmunson is currently available for media interviews and personal appearances.

Please contact:

Janet Edmunson, JME Insights
508-308-4195
janet@janetedmunson.com
Mail: P.O. Box 2496, South Portland, ME 04116-2496

A Perfect Score for Finding Meaning With Charles!
Writers Digest 14th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards
On a scale of 1 to 5 [with 1 meaning “poor” and 5 meaning “excellent”] evaluation as follows:

Structure and organization: 5
Grammar: 5
Cover Design: 5

Judge’s comments:

1) What did you like about this book?
“I liked that the story was told from start to finish, ending not with Charles’ death, but with how his wife and caregiver Janet went on. The story was poignant and emotional without ever bring sentimental. It was also honest. Janet showed that, despite a positive attitude, things don’t always go well simply because of that. She was honest about the fact that there were times caring for her very sick husband seemed too much; it did for others as well. Edmunson shows that this is part of such caregiving, walking with a person to the end and then going on.

2) How can this author improve this book?
“I rarely say this in regard to any manuscript, unpublished or published, but there isn’t anything about this book I’d change; structure, grammar, and cover design are all excellent, and the telling sections of the story is, too; the book strikes the right tone between emotional and practical, sections are a good length, the story is engaging. I’d leave it as is — it is a finished product.”

New Review:

Written by inspirational speaker Janet Edmunson, Finding Meaning With Charles: Caregiving With Love Through A Degenerative Disease is a personal testimony concerning the experience of caring for a loved one through the progression of Parkinson's Plus syndrome. The importance of the serenity prayer -- "To accept what I cannot change" -- the test of faith in God that is watching a loved one gradually die, and the little day-to-day aspects of life. A profound and soul-baring memoir of observing twilight years.

-- Midwest Book Review
November 2006, on the Biography Bookshelf

Read more reviews

Current press release:

For release May 2006

Announcing the publication of Finding Meaning With Charles:
Caregiving With Love Through A Degenerative Disease
By Janet Edmunson

Publication date - August 2006
$15.95, soft cover, 6x9, 306 pgs.
ISBN# 1-9778133-0-4

This is a new title by Janet Edmunson, a resident of Danvers, MA, and Portland, ME.

Edmunson, an inspirational speaker, has over 30 years experience in health promotion.

She is currently Director of Prevention & Wellness for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. She cared for her husband Charles through a debilitating and devastating neurological disease that ultimately lead to his death in the same year the couple would have celebrated their twentieth anniversary.

Charles was known for his progressive and uniquely effective management and leadership theories, having authored a book, and lectured widely on the topic. He left a rich legacy and many admirers, but one aspect of the legacy was just for his wife.

Through the course of his life and then his disease, Edmunson learned the keys to becoming a supportive caregiver for a loved one who is terminally ill.

It wasn't easy. As Edmunson saw the man she shared a life with become progressively more ill, he became more and more dependent on her and others. She helped him through his emotional frustrations and physical degeneration while wrestling with her own challenges and emotions. Their story illustrates for others how to do more than just cope with an illness. The book teaches readers to help their loved one fulfill whatever aspirations are still possible, which helps them to become stronger due to the experience.

Throughout Finding Meaning With Charles, Edmunson offers Caregiving Affirmations with each chapter, lessons learned from grappling with the issues involved with catastrophic illness, and she passes these lessons on to others who might be in a similar situation now or in the future, whether caring for a sibling, parent, child or a spouse. She discusses how to deal with doctors, telling the family about illness, and how to care for someone and help them keep their dignity. Edmunson also lets readers into the wonderful story of the couple's courtship and marriage, as well as through the challenges they faced when Charles became ill.

"If you don't stay positive, what's the alternative?" Edmunson asks. "You'd just spiral down into depression and I didn't want to go there." This book helps those in caregiving roles get through the hard times, stay centered and positive.

Finding Meaning With Charles is an inspirational guidebook for anyone who needs to learn how to help a loved one and themselves, as Edmunson says, "get to the other side." It uses one woman's experience with her husband's illness and death, to share larger spiritual truths, which do provide comfort as well as resources for readers.

For more information on Janet Edmunson, to arrange an interview, or request a book and media kit, please contact Deidre Randall at Blueline Publicity by telephone at (603) 205-0552, or email: drandall@bluelinepublicity.com.

Distributed by Biblio Distribution (800) 462-6420
www.bibliodistribution.com

Praise for Finding Meaning With Charles:

Unlocks the reader's vulnerabilities as the sharing of everyday details is interwoven with larger spiritual understandings regarding the nature of disease, loss, and relationship. The author has used the complexity and richness of the experience to "make meaning" and to accomplish the difficult task in grief of holding the past and bringing it forward to the now.

-- Edith L. Murray
Hospice Administrator, Wayside Hospice, Wayland, MA

This uplifting book will encourage caregivers to make the most of their situation, help them understand the difficulties they'll face, and teach them what they can do to help their loved one achieve personal aspirations.... A "must read" for caregivers of degenerative neurological diseases.

-- Richard Zyne
D.Min. Executive Director, Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

I have walked in Janet's shoes as a caregiver. Caregiving is a true test of love and endurance. As a caregiver, you will be overwhelmed. This book will give you an incredible sense of peace and acceptance and the affirmations will bring you comfort. I wish the book were available when I struggled with my journey.

-- Patti Ryan
loving companion and caregiver for Leo Hamel during his neurological disease.