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Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel MichelbergCrash: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

Publisher:  She Writes Press, (April 27, 2021)
Category: Memoir, Divorce, Parenting, Moral Conflict, Caring for Disabled, Caregiver
Tour dates: April-May, 2021
ISBN: 978-1647420321
Available in Print and ebook, 224 pages
Crash

Description Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg


Rachel likes to think of herself as a nice Jewish girl, dedicated to doing what’s honorable, just as her parents raised her to do. But when her husband, David, survives a plane crash and is left with severe brain damage, she faces a choice: will she dedicate her life to caring for a man she no longer loves, or walk away?

Their marriage had been rocky at the time of the accident, and though she wants to do the right thing, Rachel doesn’t know how she is supposed to care for two kids in addition to a now irrational, incontinent, and seizure-prone grown man. And how will she manage to see her lover? But then again, what kind of selfish monster would refuse to care for her disabled husband, no matter how unhappy her marriage had been? Rachel wants to believe that she can dedicate her life to David’s needs, but knows in her heart it is impossible.

Crash tackles a pervasive dilemma in our culture: the moral conflicts individuals face when caregiving for a disabled or cognitively impaired family member.


My Thoughts Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

Wow! A memoir that is both powerful and heartbreaking. I’m not ashamed to say that this one made me tear up more than few times.

Rachel Michelberg had been married to her husband, David when both of their lives were suddenly changed forever. David was flying a plane over the California countryside when he was involved in a crash that left him and his friend badly hurt. After being rushed to the ICU, it was determined that David had suffered massive brain injuries that would result in memory loss and other complications.

Now, David was deemed unable to care for himself and likely to remain that way for the rest of his life. Rachel had to decide if she was up to caring full time for her husband as well as taking care of their two young children and dealing with her own health issues and work as a cantor.

I put myself through university, working in group homes with adults with developmental disabilities.  Some of the people I worked with were also in wheel chairs.  I know first hand what back breaking work that is, even for well trained staff. I loved what I did because I knew I was making a difference  in peoples lives.  I was also gaining valuable experience that I knew will help me after I graduated with my social work degrees.  However, I understand that not everyone can do this type of work and that is okay.  Now, in my 50’s, there is no way I could do it but am so glad I got to do it when I was younger!

At home caregivers are people that are too often ignored or forgotten about in our society and this memoir is an excellent example of that. The difficulties that Rachel faced and the decisions about her husband’s care that all fell to her were affecting and upsetting. I can’t imagine having to face questions like that about a loved one and I hope that I never have to.

On top of everything else, before the accident, Rachel and her husband were going through a rough patch in their marriage and she was considering asking him for a divorce. Of course, after the accident, this question seemed impossible to bring up and Rachel had to decide if she wanted to remain married to this man and provide constant care for him.

I won’t spoil the ending, because this is definitely one that you should read yourself, but I felt such a hopeful and light feeling after reading this. I want to thank Rachel Michelberg for her bravery in sharing this very difficult time in her life and her honesty.  I think it could help others in similar situations.

5 stars for a beautiful and moving story and I hope Rachel is in a happier place now!
I received the ebook for my honest thoughts.

About Rachel Michelberg

Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

(c) Alicia Telfer

Rachel Michelberg grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and still enjoys living there with her husband, Richard, and their two dogs, Nala and Beenie. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from San Jose State University and has performed leading roles in musicals and opera from Carmen to My Fair Lady as well as the part of the Mother Abbess (three times!) in The Sound of Music.

When Rachel isn’t working with one of her twenty voice and piano students, she loves gardening, hiking, and making her own bone broth. CRASH: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver is her first book.

Website: https://www.rachelmauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelMAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RMichelberg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmichelbergauthor/

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Crash: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel MichelbergCrash: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

Publisher:  She Writes Press, (April 27, 2021)
Category: Memoir, Divorce, Parenting, Moral Conflict, Caring for Disabled, Caregiver
Tour dates: April-May, 2021
ISBN: 978-1647420321
Available in Print and ebook, 224 pages
Crash

Description Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg


Rachel likes to think of herself as a nice Jewish girl, dedicated to doing what’s honorable, just as her parents raised her to do. But when her husband, David, survives a plane crash and is left with severe brain damage, she faces a choice: will she dedicate her life to caring for a man she no longer loves, or walk away?

Their marriage had been rocky at the time of the accident, and though she wants to do the right thing, Rachel doesn’t know how she is supposed to care for two kids in addition to a now irrational, incontinent, and seizure-prone grown man. And how will she manage to see her lover? But then again, what kind of selfish monster would refuse to care for her disabled husband, no matter how unhappy her marriage had been? Rachel wants to believe that she can dedicate her life to David’s needs, but knows in her heart it is impossible.

Crash tackles a pervasive dilemma in our culture: the moral conflicts individuals face when caregiving for a disabled or cognitively impaired family member.

Advance Praise Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

“…an engaging exploration of duty, guilt, and self-preservation. Michelberg is a frank writer…. continually willing to unpack her guilt while also exploring options for her own emotional survival. A cleareyed consideration of difficult ethical and familial choices.”-Kirkus Reviews

“I couldn’t put this book down . . . Rachel Michelberg gives the reader the gift of unfiltered honesty, without excuses or complaints. She shows us how the clarity of a scrupulous heart can guide us through the worst of times. Crash is an important story told by a remarkable story teller.”-Joanne Silver Jones, author of Headstrong: Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury

“I read this book cover to cover and then finally remembered to breathe. Crash is a profoundly human story told with grace and raw honesty. Michelberg is courageous enough to put all of herself into the pages, and we are all the better for it. Crash will stay with you–in your mind, heart, and gut–for a long time after you finish it.”-Mark Lukach, author of My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward

Crash is a skillfully written, riveting account of Michelberg’s struggle to sustain herself and her family after a tragic event radically alters their lives. As a mother, she is protective, resourceful and competent as she boldly guides her family forward. Vigilant and vulnerable, she exemplifies a woman who speaks her truth, however hard that is to bear. Crash will challenge your own sense of what is important in fighting for a family’s well-being.”-Anna Penenberg, Amazon best-selling author of Dancing in the Narrows: A Mother-Daughter Odyssey Through Chronic Illness

Interview With Teddy Rose and Rachel Michelberg

Hi Rachel, Welcome to Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus.  Thanks for agreeing to this interview.

TR: Please tell us something about ‘Crash’ that is not in the summary.  (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

RM:  In my summary, I refer to the pushback I got from my husband David’s family about his care. Dora, David’s older sister, is a main character in my story. We’d been close (as close as you can be when you live 7,500 miles apart) before his plane crash, but my decisions about David’s caregiving and her responses drove a wedge between us. Our relationship was forever changed. Still, I wanted to portray Dora as someone with great compassion and empathy, someone who meant well, but was so desperate to change the situation she acted in ways that were misguided. The result was extreme stress and conflict. I hope that in the end my readers will think kindly of Dora – in some ways she’s the true hero of my story.

TR: How long did it take you to write this book from concept to fruition? Was there any research involved or just your own experiences?

RM: It took me a long, long time – eleven years. I was a single parent of two kids – each with their own issues – which took most of my attention, plus running my music teaching business. But I think the main reason it took so long was that I was learning the craft of writing – taking classes, attending feedback groups – at the same time as I was actually writing. I had to develop my confidence, my voice. That confidence was shaken after attending a retreat in New York where professionals from the publishing industry spoke; I don’t believe they meant to be discouraging but that was the result. Many of us at that retreat became very disillusioned. I didn’t write a word for two solid years. But the story wouldn’t leave me alone, so I hired a coach and finished the manuscript.

TR: What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

RM: There is short scene where I’m at the DMV surrendering David’s driver’s license, which was required by law since his brain injury renders him unable to get behind the wheel ever again. Though it was a simple act, it was very symbolic, an official severing of his former life with his present and permanent disabled one – a significant loss of independence. In the scene, I break down in tears while at the DMV counter. My sadness at the totality of his losses overwhelmed me at that moment. It was also like rubbing salt into the wound of my single-parenting reality – I would not just be the only driver in the family, I’d be the only everything.

This scene wasn’t an especially dramatic moment in comparison to some far more intense scenes in the book – but for me quite significant.

TR: People choose to write their memoir for many different reasons.  What would you hope readers will take away after reading ‘Crash?

RM: Two words: resilience and options. I struggled so much during those years with a number of challenges that happened simultaneously: My – and my children’s – grief/trauma around David’s brain injury, the recurrence of an eating disorder, dealing with a stalker, my mother’s passing from pancreatic cancer, my son’s Asperger’s syndrome, my daughter’s anxiety, the pushback from his family. I got through it with sheer will power and the support of my village – friends, family, therapist. My mantra was a cliché – “when you’re walking through hell, keep walking.” There is another side to the minefield if you can put one foot in front of the other. And while you’re walking, or stumbling as I was, grasp those hands that are reaching out to help you through it.

The other message I want to convey is that if you are thrust into a role you didn’t sign up for, it’s ok to choose the less travelled path. Give yourself permission to consider all of your options. If you do make an unpopular choice, it doesn’t mean you are selfish or lazy. Give yourself the love you so generously bestow on others.

TR: Would you sell movie rights for ‘Crash’ and if so, which actor/actress would you like to see playing you?

RM: Oh absolutely! I think Crash would make a wonderful movie or mini-series (doesn’t every author think that about their work?) It is truly a dream to see my story dramatized. The actress would need to be someone who could play mid-40’s, preferably Jewish-looking. Perhaps Julianna Margulies, Winona Ryder, Natalie Portman…what do you think? Ideas welcome!

About Rachel Michelberg

Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

(c) Alicia Telfer

Rachel Michelberg grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and still enjoys living there with her husband, Richard, and their two dogs, Nala and Beenie. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from San Jose State University and has performed leading roles in musicals and opera from Carmen to My Fair Lady as well as the part of the Mother Abbess (three times!) in The Sound of Music.

When Rachel isn’t working with one of her twenty voice and piano students, she loves gardening, hiking, and making her own bone broth. CRASH: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver is her first book.

Website: https://www.rachelmauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelMAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RMichelberg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmichelbergauthor/

Pre-Order Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg


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Givaway Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg


This giveaway is open to the U.S. only for the choice of print or eBook for each winner. It ends on May 18, 2021,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Follow Crash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

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rash: Reluctant Caregiver by Rachel Michelberg

Addicted Child by Richard CapriolaAddicted Child: Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse by Richard Capriola

Publisher:  Book Baby (November 24, 2020)
Category: Self-help, Parenting, Adolescence, Substance Abuse, Drug Dependency Recovery, & Non-Fiction
Tour dates: March-April, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-09832-728-1
Available in Print and ebook,  107 pages
Addicted Child

Description Addicted Child by Richard Capriola


The Addicted Child is a resource for parents. It addresses adolescent substance abuse. Readers learn the extent of adolescent substance abuse in America, how drugs impact the teen brain, warning signs every family should know about, assessments and tests important for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, how eating disorders and self-injury can accompany substance abuse, how to recognize street drugs being used by teens, and resources to help identify treatment options.

Parents will learn from Richard Capriola, a mental health and addictions counselor, the importance of comprehensive assessments – and what to look for in a counselor to know you’re getting the right help.

My Thoughts Addicted Child by Richard Capriola

”The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse,” is not just a self-help guide but a manual for helping the ones you love the most. If you begin to suspect that your child is addicted to drugs, it can be difficult to know where to turn next. Of course, you want to get help for your child, but where do you even start?

The author of this book, Richard Capriola wants to answer that question is a short, easy-to-read guide that will leave you with a plan of action and some peace of mind. Every page of this book contains valuable information that can help you get your child back on a better path and steer them away from an addiction.

Of course, young people are the most vulnerable to addiction. Between peer pressure and the fact that their brains are not yet done developing, it is easy for them to fall prey to a drug that might make them think they are better, stronger or cooler. In this book, Capriola, who is a mental health and addiction counselor, clearly outlines basic steps to take if you suspect that your child may be addicted to a drug.

From marijuana to harder drugs, there are so many different types of drugs to get addicted to and Capriola outlines every one in stunning detail that informs the reader while also making sure not to bore with too much information. This book is a simple and quick read for parents that might not have the time to delve into anything too long.

As a mostly retired social worker in adult mental health myself, I think that this book could be a light in the darkness to those that need it most and a helping hand to parents everywhere. Anyone can make bad decisions, but, as the book says, it doesn’t have to be a lifelong mistake.

I will certainly recommend ‘The Addicted Child’ to my colleagues who work with parents and children! I give it 5 stars.

I received the ebook for my honest opinion.

About Richard CapriolaAddicted Child by Richard Capriola

Richard Capriola has been a mental health and addictions counselor for over two decades. He has been licensed in Illinois and Texas and has treated both adults and adolescents with substance abuse disorders.

Website: https://helptheaddictedchild.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.capriola
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CapriolaRichard
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/richardcapriola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instarick1949/

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Giveaway Addicted Child by Richard Capriola


This is for one print copy or pdf for 3 winners. Print is open to the U.S. only and pdf is open worldwide.  This giveaway ends on April 13, 2021 at midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Addicted Child by Richard Capriola