This Portland area author’s love for her younger brother led her on a frightening and difficult journey after he suffered a major stroke.
The episode plays out in the pages of “My Brother’s Keeper: A Caregiver’s Story,” from her visits to hospitals and care facilities, to her sharing a home, to dealing with a myriad of issues–none of which was easy. Over the course of several years, Wendy became her brother’s caregiver, advocate, drill sergeant, mother — whatever helped.
Almost 800,000 Americans suffer strokes every year. Their caregivers can benefit from this story from learning how to deal with red tape to how to keep their hopes alive.
In “My Brother’s Keeper,” Wendy shares what she learned in hopes that others who suddenly become inadvertent caregivers may benefit from her experience. She covers such issues as: Medical jargon, Medicaid, power of attorney, student loans, unraveling red tape, the IRS, credit unions, business owners, as well as stellar professionals and unbelievable friends.
A recent Midwest Book Review says of the book, “Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, “My Brother’s Keeper: A Caregiver’s Story” is a tale that can help those who must care for others….
Another reviewer writes: “This is a wonderful book – written with clarity and compassion, it tells a story of our time. It takes bravery and resilience to be a caregiver, and Wendy Mac Ewan Kroger has not only walked the walk, she has in this remarkable book shared what she has learned. Not to be missed.”
Wendy earned an MA in counseling from the University of Oregon. She has worked in city, county, state and federal jobs, as a police dispatcher, counselor, jobs coordinator and investigator. An avid environmentalist, she has volunteered in parks, trails and watershed enhancement positions. She is a Master Gardener and has a Salem park named after her.