The Stranger Within

By Joyce Yates

The Stranger Within is a collection of poems that reflect upon the thoughts, emotions, and observations of a wife and a caretaker, from early stages of Alzheimers to death. It shares accounts of how a soul suffering from a disease is transformed into a shell, losing all ability to communicate, show emotion, and enjoy the loved ones who continue to care and provide support and dignity to life.

The Stranger Within is a chronological outpouring of a wifes innermost thoughts, fears, frustration, and anger as she learns to deal with how this disease turns her, her lover, the family, and friends into victims, as it slowly steals away the life of everyone in one way or another. Alzheimers disease attacks everyone who is diagnosed at different stages in their lives, but it seems to attack in same manner and ultimately ends with the same result. During this process, these souls all in some way become a stranger to those who see them, but it is unknown what is happening in the mind of that person within.

The Stranger Within, through each poem, provides insight or comfort to those who are either beginning, currently living, or who have ended their journey with Alzheimers and the stranger that came into their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Oct 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781462411344

Joyce Yates

Joyce Yates, originally from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, now resides in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. She is a graduate of the Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in special education. She worked as a speech pathologist and special education teacher. She was married to Earnie on February 18, 1951, in Fisk, Missouri. At the time of marriage Earnie was a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Joyce worked as a secretary at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Earnie was a member of the University of Missouri Air Force ROTC, and upon graduation in 1953, he entered the Air Force flight training program. He earned his wings and remained in the Air Force for ten years before retiring. Thereafter, he obtained his Master’s Degree in education and administration from the Southeast Missouri State University. He taught in elementary and secondary education before retiring in 1992 after thirty years of teaching. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just a short four years after retirement. Joyce and Earnie are the parents of five children. They have eleven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Joyce enjoys her family, friends, bible class and writing. She remains hopeful that a cure for Alzheimer’s disease will be discovered. Earnie passed away on February 17, 2009, at 11:35 pm., ten years after his diagnosis and only twenty-five minutes before their fifty-eighth wedding anniversary.

Book preview

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