I Was Once Like You

About the Book

“I Was Once Like You”
By Carolyn (Nesto) Haynali

Chuck her loving husband was like everyone else when he was born. He went through life doing the things that he was supposed to do. He was a normal man who went into the military service for his country, married, raised two children and provided a good home for his family. He had a good life until he was told he had, Alzheimer’s disease. That was the worse news he had ever heard. He had many other illnesses through his life but Alzheimer’s was the worst. Alzheimer’s disease strips you of who you used to be and as the years go by you are not able to remember the things that you once enjoyed or the people that you loved, friends or family that you knew. You just can’t remember.

“What can they do to help me?” Chuck would say, “They can’t do anything but please still show me love and be there for me. In my own mind I am still who I used to be. I want to say to them, “I Was Once Like You, Before I Got Alzheimer’s.” This book will help you understand what it’s like to be a person with Alzheimer’s disease and the care and concern that it takes being a caregiver and an advocate for your loved one. Carolyn’s long journey with Chuck will be inspirational. God Bless You!

About the Author

Carolyn A. (Nesto) Haynali is the founder of the Caregivers Army Organization, an Internet support group for Alzheimer’s caregivers. She is an advocate for Alzheimer’s. Her mission is to help others through their caregiving experiences as they encounter difficult times as she did. She has written articles for newspapers, magazines, and has been interviewed on Local TV, and Radio stations.

She was invited to speak at the Congressional Alzheimer’s Task Force in Washington D.C. on September 21, 2000. At that time she presented a petition of well over 20,500 signatures requesting greater governmental research towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. At the close of her address she read the, “Alzheimer Patient’s Prayer,” written from the point of view of an actual Alzheimer’s patient. Carolyn’s journey lasted ten long years.

Chuck and Carolyn married April 6, 1953. They were married over 50 years. They have two children, three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Carolyn started her journey by keeping a daily journal and from that her poetry started to flow and a book was written in 2004 called, “Poetry From The Heart By An Alzheimer’s Caregiver.”

Her next accomplishment is a children’s book in 2011, “Goldie, The Little Horse That Didn’t Listen.” This story was told to her grandchildren 30 years ago and is now her legacy being dedicated to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lastly in 2011 her current book, “I Was Once Like You,” This inspirational book will give you a glimpse of what it is like to have Alzheimer’s disease and the effect on the caregiver. These books were published through, Author House Publishing.

Other Awards:
2006-Ohio-Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Award
2006-Ohio-Caregiver of the Year Award

To Caregivers all over the world you are truly our, “Unsung Heroes.”