Last fall, writer Annette Januzzi Wick met with Marvin Knobloch and Jennifer Dalessandro with the idea to host a writing circle for the residents of the Alois Center. Annette came up with this idea after listening to a podcast on NPR about an author and phychologist from New York who had teamed up to produce a writing circle with individuals with Alzheimer's. In addition, Annette was experiencing the challenges her own mother was facing with dementia. In January, that idea became a reality.
Annette was assisted by Leigh Edison, both of Loveland Ohio. They created a safe space for the participants to share their thoughts and words. After the first class, one participant shared, "I feel like a writer already".
Prior to the class, participants were asked what type of writing subject they would like for the last class. One resident mentioned birthday parties, so the following week, the circle wrote to the theme of birthday parties, after reading poems about gooey cake and musical chairs. They celebrated afterwards whip a whipped frosting double layer cake and singing "Happy Birthday to Everyone". Leigh and Annette noted to the group that their writings about birthdays had a universal theme of being together with family. As one participant put it, "I love my family and it's expressed in my words".
