Love, Loss and Lewy Body Dementia with Mary Lou Falcone, Caregiver, Author, and Internationally Renowned Classical Music Publicist & Strategist

Love and loss can lead us to become champions for a cause we never expected to face. My guest today is Mary Lou Falcone, an internationally renowned classical music publicist and strategist, who has spent five decades shaping the careers of prominent artists and institutions.

However, it's her personal story that brings an added layer of depth to her illustrious career. Faced with her partner's diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, Mary Lou found herself in the most challenging role of her life – that of a caregiver. Her journey through love, loss, and caregiving has led her to become an advocate for Lewy Body dementia awareness, turning her personal struggle into a beacon of hope and inspiration for others.

Throughout our conversation, Mary Lou will share insights from her book, 'I Didn't See It Coming: Scenes of Love, Loss, and Lewy Body Dementia.' Mary Lou shares how her early life experiences prepared her for caregiving, the challenges she faced while caring for her late husband, Nicky Zann, a popular 1950s rock 'n' roll musician who became a world-renowned cartoonist, illustrator, and painter, and why she chose to share their story with the world.

We talk about Nicky's life, the profound loss, and the awakening to advocacy. We talk about the complex and often misunderstood world of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a condition that affects millions yet remains in the shadows. We'll explore not just the medical aspects of LBD, but the deeply personal experiences that come with caring for someone living with this condition.

Mary Lou also shares about the importance of spreading awareness about LBD, the difficulties caregivers face, and the resources available for those battling this condition. This episode promises to be not just an exploration of LBD, but a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

To help increase awareness about Lewy body dementia, an often misdiagnosed neurodegenerative disease affecting approximately 11 million people worldwide, the film FACING THE WIND follows the journeys in real time of three families dealing with LBD. The film is scheduled to be released in late 2024 or early 2025.

It was a delight to meet you and interview you, Mary Lou. Thank you for all you do to raise awareness and the many ways you advocate for those living with Lewy Body disease.

Learn more at www.maryloufalcone.com

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

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