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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, My Right To Write Back by Stacy Candice is a groundbreaking poetry collection that offers a transformative, empathetic glimpse into dementia and caregiving, serving as an urgent call for societal change in our understanding of the condition.
My Right To Write Back
In a literary landscape often dominated by clinical analyses or familial memoirs about dementia, Stacy Candice’s My Right to Write Back emerges as a groundbreaking collection that amplifies the voices of those living with the condition. Far from a detached recounting of symptoms or a bystander’s perspective, this book uses poetry and verse to plunge readers into the raw, emotional reality of dementia—its fear, confusion, resilience, and enduring capacity for love. Candice’s work stands apart for its authenticity, offering an intimate glimpse into a journey that is too often misunderstood or oversimplified.
What makes this collection truly remarkable is its scope. Candice doesn’t stop at the experiences of those with dementia; she extends her poetic lens to the caregivers—both family members and professionals—who navigate the grief, responsibility, and quiet heroism of supporting their loved ones or clients. The book poses a haunting yet essential question: Who is taking care of the people who are taking care of me? Through this inquiry, Candice sheds light on the often-overlooked world of caregiving, a profession and personal duty that demands recognition and respect.
At the heart of My Right to Write Back is its unflinching portrayal of dementia from the inside out. The poems unearth the “deep, dark, emotional journey” of those living with the condition, capturing fragmented memories alongside the stories that remain indelible. This is not poetry that seeks to explain dementia in sterile terms; instead, it invites readers to feel the weight of its complexities—the disorientation, the fleeting clarity, and the persistent humanity that endures. Candice’s verses serve as a bridge, connecting readers to an experience that might otherwise remain distant or abstract.
The Unsung Struggles of Caregivers
Equally compelling is the collection’s focus on caregivers, whose voices resonate with both tenderness and exhaustion. Candice highlights the “never-ending struggles” of care workers—devalued, overworked, and underpaid—particularly during the harrowing days of the COVID-19 pandemic. These poems delve into the gritty realities of life in care homes: the financial burdens of care, the tension with disgruntled family members, the pressure of inspections, and the ever-present specter of death. Yet, amid these challenges, Candice underscores the profound humanity of caregiving. It’s not merely a job or an obligation, she argues, but a deeply human act deserving of compassion and support.
Beyond its emotional depth, My Right to Write Back carries an educational mission. The collection seeks to “educate and emancipate” readers who may not fully grasp the intricate issues woven into health and social care, especially within care homes. By blending the perspectives of those with dementia and their caregivers, Candice crafts a narrative that is both personal and universal, urging society to reconsider how it values and supports its most vulnerable members and those who tend to them.
Why This Book Matters
My Right to Write Back is more than a poetry collection—it’s an invitation. Through its evocative language and unflinching honesty, it beckons readers to walk in the shoes of those living with dementia and those who care for them. It’s a thought-provoking reminder that behind the statistics and stereotypes are real people—individuals grappling with loss and love, and caregivers striving to provide dignity in the face of adversity. Stacy Candice has created a work that not only honors these experiences but demands that they be seen, heard, and respected.
For anyone seeking to understand the emotional terrain of dementia or the unsung labor of caregiving, this book is an unmissable journey—one that resonates long after the final page is turned.
Stacy Candice
The aim of this book, through poetry, is to raise awareness nationwide about the lives of those with the disease and give people a greater understanding of how people with Dementia feel and how it also affects the people caring for them . Since childhood I have always dreamt of becoming a successful writer and since experiencing firsthand the hardships of dementia, I have been inspired to achieve that goal, whilst also shining a light on the often-overlooked struggle and triumphs of individuals affected by the condition.
My favourite poem in the collection is “Dementia Street”, which can be found on page 12.
I do a lot of spoken words and read my poetry at open mic events, and Dementia Street is often the audience’s favourite poem too.-Stacy Candice
Stacy Candice hails from the lively and culturally vibrant islands of Trinidad and Tobago, where she was born and raised before relocating to the UK at the dawn of the millennium. Now settled in the East Midlands, she has devoted more than two decades of her professional life to improving the well-being and enriching the experiences of individuals living with dementia.
Find more from Stacy Candice now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3FIwJHP
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3DJ87y1
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