Leonard Saunders
After nearly sixty years of marriage Leonard faced separation from his wife after she fell and broke her hip in early 2022. Their experience of navigating the healthcare system in order for him to look after her in their own home was such that he felt it should be shared. The result is a series of books told with candor and insight, both as a narrative of what they experienced, and as a guide for others who might find themselves to be unwitting caregivers to a loved one.
While learning the complexity of caring for a loved one at home, Leonard realized that he was not alone in the frustrations he faced; this led him to contact researchers in the field. Leonard now serves as a member of an advisory council on a project looking at aspects of palliative care in the home setting. Reviews of an early draft of his work can be seen below.
375 Goodnight Kisses
The Series
After trying to write a single book about his story of navigating Ontario’s healthcare system, Leonard realized that there were three audiences. The result is a series of books based on one experience but told from different points of view. These are:
The Journey
This book is for the reader who just wants to travel with the couple as they battled with a system during the Covid-19 crisis.
What I Learned as a Caregiver
This version is for the person who suddenly finds themselves as caregiver to a loved one and needs some guidance, of for anyone who who may want to know what is involved before it happens.
Case Study (Coming Soon)
This is for those in any aspect of the medical professions who need to understand the impact of what they do on the patients and families they serve.
$2 from the sale of each book will be donated to Community Care Durham
Reviews
“This was a great read! It was insightful, impactful, and emotional at times. It provided me with such insight from the caregiver perspective.“
Ms. Taylor Shorting – Research Coordinator in Palliative Care Health Services Research at Bruyère Research Institute
“It’s excellent and a stand alone attestation to many of the frustrations I see with our system of home-care day in day out”
Dr. Regine Krechowiez – Palliative Care Physician
“I am absolutely blown away by both the caliber of your writing and the level of detail and candor you provide in your piece.“
Sarina Isenberg, MA PhD – Chair in Mixed Methods Palliative Care Research at Bruyère Research Institute, Assistant Professor in Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa
“It made me cry several times.” ” I do think the medical profession needs to know more about people with long-term disabilities“
Kim Kilpatrick – Professional Storyteller and Disability Advocate
“I think this is amazing work.” “Reading this I thought it would be such a valuable read for medical staff.”
“This type of work would be an invaluable tool for other families going through the process of caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness.”
Dr. Kaitlyn Boese – Palliative Care Physician University of Ottawa
Oldcroft Publishing 