News

Prairie du Chien, WI - Former Wisconsin Gov. Martin J. Schreiber continues the most important campaign of his life when he speaks at the Livin’ Well Health Education and Vendor Fair at Crossing Rivers Health on Saturday, September 14, at 11:00 a.m. to talk about the challenges of being an Alzheimer's caregiver.

Schreiber is an award-winning crusader for Alzheimer’s caregivers and persons with dementia. Reaching audiences nationwide at live events and via media, he uses humor and compassion to share lessons from his ongoing, decade-plus journey as a caregiver. In 2017, he gave more than 130 presentations to audiences that included family and professional caregivers, healthcare workers, social workers, nursing and pharmacy students, civic and business leaders, senior community residents, library patrons and more.

Schreiber will share what he has learned, which is included in his award-winning book, "My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer's Caregiver," so others don't experience the learning curve he did. The free presentation will include time for questions and suggestions from other caregivers.

"My Two Elaines" is a guide for Alzheimer's families and caregivers as well as a love story that spans more than 60 years. Schreiber's wife Elaine was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 11 years ago and since then, he has worked tirelessly to be a caregiver and loving spouse to someone who no longer recognizes him. He refers to the woman with whom he fell in love in high school, married, raised a family and ran political campaigns as his first Elaine, and today's sweet, sensitive woman who remembers nothing about their past as his second. He speaks about the need for caregivers to build support systems and self-care, which are among the things he failed to do early on.

Other speakers for the event include Pam Myhre, Crossing Rivers Health Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist, who will be discussing Diabetes and Foot Care at 10:00 a.m. At 12:00 p.m., Laura Gentry will present Laughter Yoga, a revolutionary movement that’s blazing a happy trail across the globe. Live musical entertainment begins at 9 a.m. and door prizes will be awarded, including two $100 VISA gift cards.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to talk with vendors and participate in hands-on activities such as cooking demonstrations; receive free blood pressure checks, free diabetic foot scans, and free posture assessments; enjoy a smoothie made from the kids blender bike; receive a chair massage for a small fee; and have their car seat checked by trained safety technicians from Crawford County Public Health and Crossing Rivers Health. Other fun, family-friendly activities will include Yoga for All Ages from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Young visitors can bring their favorite teddy bear in for a check-up or receive a new teddy bear from Partners of Crossing Rivers Health.

Livin’ Well Health Education and Vendor Fair is a free event open to the public sponsored by Crossing Rivers Health and the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Eagle Country. For more information, visit crossingrivers.org/livinwell.

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