Diary of An Imprisoned Mind is an illustrated first-person narrative that depicts the hypothetical day of someone struggling with a dementia disorder. The reader is allowed to enter the fictional character's mind of confusion, questions, and delusions as she struggles to make sense of daily routines and her surroundings. The story's intent is to increase dementia awareness by relaying the sadness and despair which imprisons millions of individuals. The author and illustrator have directed all royalties, which would be due to them, to be paid to The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.
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Jennifer Orsak resides in Holly Springs, North Carolina with her husband and son. She graduated from UNC-CH with a nursing degree. In addition to working in long term care, she has surveyed nursing homes for both the North Carolina and South Carolina state regulatory agencies. She has always been saddened by the plight of elderly individuals who cannot speak up for themselves and the fatigue of overwhelmed caregivers and staff. In recent years, her own mother was diagnosed with a dementia disorder, and Jennifer is working to increase awareness.
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Amy Hurley lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with her husband, two sons, and daughter. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Nutritional Science, and went on to become a Registered Dietitian. Amy has also worked in long term care as well as surveying nursing homes for the North Carolina state regulatory agency. Her grandmother and mother were diagnosed with Pick's Disease, a frontal lobe dementia. It has always been Amy's goal to help those that face the devastating effects of dementia.