“What my Grandma Means to Say“by JC Sulzenko is a welcome addition to our library and school education program as an educational resource for families and students. It is an engaging story of an 11 year old boy and his grandmother as they struggle to find a new way of connecting with each other.” Caitlin Brydges, Program Staff, Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, May 2011
“As a mental health professional, I’m impressed by Ms. Sulzenko’s depth of understanding of this disease and its impact on families. In the field of dementia, this book is an extremely useful therapeutic tool for an often forgotten population, our children.” Anne Bilodeau, MSW, RSW
What People Say / Testimonials
Boot Crazy
“A charming story… We can see her years as a poet shining through… With colourful, jump off the pages illustrations…” Sue Townley, children’s librarian
Fat poems Tall poems Long poems Small
“Poems voicing the many moods of children and how they view the world…” Stephen Haines, reviewer
What my grandma means to say
(a play for elementary school students about Alzheimer’s disease)
“In October, 2011, our Society partnered with Prince Edward Collegiate Institute to bring the play What my Grandma Means to Say to six elementary schools in Prince Edward County. The performances by four student actors under the guidance of Matt Sheahan, Head of Drama and Native Studies at PECI, were received with real enthusiasm and encouraged good discussion and learning about dementia. All in all, it was a remarkable experience, and, without hesitation, we would do it again!” Linda Jackson, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Count
“This story is one that touches everyone, whether we have experienced Alzheimer’s or not. I have never had experience with Alzheimer’s, but I have experienced hope and the loss of hope. I have experienced the pain of losing someone I loved at a young age to a disease I didn’t understand. There are conversations we all need to have, regardless of our age, and I think this story highlights that beautifully.” Matthew T. Sheahan, Department Head of the Arts ad Native Studies, Price Edward Collegiate Institute, Picton, Ontario
“What my grandma means to say is an innovative and effective tool for teachers and parents to help children understand the special needs and capacities of people who suffer from dementia. In working with the Discussion Guide to accompany the play, drama is used to help open a dialogue about the issues. It is an excellent example of how arts-infused learning can help young people meet life’s challenges and develop a deeper understanding of their world.” Audrey Churgin, Executive Director, MASC, Ottawa
“You could tell that the play and the topic were relevant to Grades 4-6 by the interest shown by our students and the quality of their questions and comments. I would recommend this play to other teachers, classes and schools and would like a copy of the DVD, once produced.” Donna Beckkers-Boyd, Principal, Bayshore Catholic School, Ottawa
“The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County (ASORC) is pleased to partner with JC Sulzenko on her project, What my grandma means to say (The Blue Shawl), a one-act play for children in whose families a person is living with some form of dementia. ASORC is incorporating this play into its youth education outreach programs for children in Grades 4,5 and 6 and their families whenever possible. ASORC is confident in the effectives of using this play to launch an informed discussion about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on individuals and the people who care for and about them. Having the play available on DVD will definitely widen its reach and impact.” Kathy Wright, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
“What My Grandma Means to Say is such a valuable educational tool. Although designed for children, the information provided is useful to all those who know someone with a dementia including family members, volunteers and professional staff.” Jen Dare, Program Facilitator, Dementia Program – Bronson Place, The Glebe Centre, Ottawa
“The delight of playing JC’s text lies in her use of vivid, tangible sense memory. She creates a progression for Granma where her focus is acute when the birds arrive; a lifetime of affectionate interplay is compressed into those three sentences. For me as actress, her cues are precise and so accurate that I found myself looping consciousness in rehearsal in the Alzheimer’s moments. … I realized that JC had written me a state which was exactly what was required: she is such a fine poet that her rhythm does in fact create the disconnect Granma exists in.” Eleanor Crowder, actor, founding Member, Salamander Theatre, Ottawa (Professional-level theatrical performances and drama-in-education workshops for children and youth)