2023 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

"Embracing A Difficult Journey"

During tough times, we often forget to remind ourselves of this simple truth. This goes double for caregivers, who often sacrifice their own wellbeing for the sake of their loved ones in hospital and their families at home.

For Laura Dill, it’s something she has come to embrace, but the road there was tough.

Within the span of two weeks in 2019, both her father, Gerry and mother Christine, were diagnosed with glioblastoma. Life, as she knew it, was irrevocably changed.

The role of caregiver is something that anyone who hasn’t experienced it will never truly understand. While people offer their best advice and support, being told to make time to care for herself for instance, doesn’t help when the needs of her parents and her family life are so acute. People mean well, but well-intended words are often used to avoid talking about the concept of dying.

It is ugly, and it is uncomfortable, Laura says, but talking about it frankly is the best way to handle it.

GUEST SPEAKER

"The Role of Neuro Rehabilitation for Survivors and Other Helpful Resources for Caregivers"

Program Coordinator-Adult Neuro Program
Licensed Cancer Social Worker
Barrow Neurological Institute

As the Rehab Program Coordinator at Barrow Neurological Institute
Ashley is the co-founder of the nation’s first program to address traumatic brain injury in the domestic violence population, She has dedicated her career as a social worker to address and bring awareness to traumatic brain injury in vulnerable populations through community and direct clinical care.

GUEST SPEAKER

"Community Care vs. Self-Care"

EBCI Board Member & Fundraising Committee Chair, Caretaker

‘Community care’ versus ‘self care’ is what resonates with Carol as she has ventured into multiple caregiving experiences. While managing the full-time job of caring for others we often do not have additional band width to think of self.

Carol is curious about those who can show up to do what she calls ‘the thing’. That might include:
  •  Seeing the caregivers needs and providing emotional support
  •  Bringing a meal and making a call to provide relief
  •  Offering to take over a task or medical appointment
  •  The list of doing ‘the thing’ is endless. 

It becomes obvious in family systems who is able to show up and who is not. The ‘why’ may not be ours to understand.

Carol is an experienced and current caregiver. Her husband Doug passed from GBM in 2012 after two years of needing care, and she is currently caregiving both parents-ages 93 and 94.

Carol holds a M.ED in education, and is a life-long educator with a broad perspective on the gift of providing care to another.

GUEST SPEAKER - “Prepare to Care”

"Prepare To Care" 

Neuro-Oncology Social Work Navigator
Brain Tumor Network

Alexandra Berkovits, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. With nearly a decade of experience as a Medical Social Worker at the Mayo Clinic, Alexandra specialized in oncology, solid organ transplant, and teaching caregiver education classes. Currently, she serves as a Neuro-Oncology Social Work Navigator at the Brain Tumor Network, a national non-profit organization dedicated to navigating patients and families through a primary brain tumor diagnosis. In addition, Alexandra plays a crucial role as a co-facilitator, supporting her local patients and caregivers at the in-person Brain Tumor Support Group of Northeast Florida. Her personal caregiving experience for her mother with a challenging, life-limiting diagnosis motivated her to pursue a career in Social Work.

Alexandra will be talking about the different ways to prepare for appointments (organizational tools), understanding transitions in care, advance care planning, planning for breaks/respite/asking for help, crisis management, etc. When caregivers prepare for what they can actually control, it takes some pressure off and alleviates fear and anxiety.