• News
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Campus Portal Login
  • News
  • Student Life
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Athletics
  • Campus Portal Login

Salve Success: Ashley Bendiksen ’13, publishes memoir about Alzheimer’s disease

salvetoday Posted On October 6, 2020
0


0
Shares
  • Share On Facebook
  • Tweet It

Ashley Bendiksen ’13 is a national speaker, award-winning activist, and former valedictorian of Salve Regina. All of this is an even more remarkable feat when someone knows that she dropped out of another college in 2006 due to an abusive dating relationship.

Bendiksen, who graduated from Salve Regina with a bachelor’s in administration of justice, has spent many years speaking at high schools and colleges on the topic of dating and abuse, and she loves to share her personal journey of overcoming that time in her life. She even created a speaking and consulting business that has been in operation for 13 years.

“I had such an amazing experience at Salve,” said Bendiksen. “I really developed the way that I think, and the skills that I developed from writing and communicating were definitely honed there. It’s made me an even better writer.”

But Bendiksen had never written a book until now, and the topic is a completely different one from what her career might suggest.

Losing a mother to Alzheimer’s disease

For her first book, a memoir entitled “The Language of Time,” Bendiksen is shedding light on the untold story of her journey into being a caregiver to her mother, who developed an unexplained case of early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 48 years of age. 

In her 20s and attending classes at Salve Regina at the time of the diagnosis, Bendiksen became a caregiver trying to navigate the often strange and unpredictable progression of Alzheimer’s, along with its devastating impact on her mother and their family. Bendiksen’s mother passed away at 56.

“I remember thinking, ‘She will not survive this, and I don’t even know what the timeline is,’ ” Bendiksen described. “So I was really determined to spend as much time with her as I possibly could and … collect as many moments and little details every day. I was journaling nonstop, and also using it to vent, and I started blogging every now and then.”

Combining journal entries, transcribed conversations and vivid storytelling, “The Language of Time” is a captivating look into the challenges and beauty of caregiving and a search for meaning along the way. It’s a story of hope, courage and the unbreakable bond between a daughter and her mother.

“It’s a story about caregiving and Alzheimer’s, but it’s also about savoring the time we have with those that we love and really finding ways to not forget that time is always fleeting,” said Bendiksen. “We go through our lives thinking there’s some permanency, but there really isn’t.”

Reaching the caregiving community

The book has made a positive impact so far, according to Bendiksen. In its first week, the book ranked as a #1 New Release in multiple categories on Amazon, and it already has many five-star reviews. 

“There’s just so many people that have been affected by Alzheimer’s,” said Bendiksen. “These are … moments that we have that are so deeply personal that we don’t realize that other people have gone through this stuff, and it can feel really isolating. I’ve had a lot of caregivers reach out.”

According to Bendiksen, in Rhode Island alone there are 159,477 individuals that serve as caregivers — nearly a quarter of all Rhode Island adults. Among them, 54,000 are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Nationally, 5.8 million people live with Alzheimer’s, and 200,000 of those are under the age of 65. More than half of all primary caregivers are the person’s own children.

“For anyone who is a caregiver, prioritizing self care is really important, because you can feel like you have to one hundred percent just be there for a person,” shared Bendiksen. “It’s emotionally overwhelming and physically overwhelming, and you just have to take one day at a time and take care of yourself as well.”

In addition to writing “The Language of Time,” Bendiksen has also served as Chairperson of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s from 2014 to 2017, has testified on behalf of Alzheimer’s policy change and has raised countless dollars for research. Bendiksen is also actively involved in Newport County and holds numerous leadership roles on regional boards and committees in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Bendiksen doesn’t regret writing her book, and she is looking forward to writing another someday. “Our experiences can help others,” Bendiksen described. “I just really believe in the power of telling your stories to make a difference in people’s lives and even the world. Have conversations. Talk about things. Don’t diminish your experiences.”

Salve Success is a series of student success stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Success for more stories. 

0
Shares
  • Share On Facebook
  • Tweet It




  • RSS Calendar of Events

    • Honors Senior Thesis Exhibition
      Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021 (All day) to Thursday, April 22, 2021 (All day)
      Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery

      The Honors Senior Thesis Exhibition showcases the work of six outstanding seniors from the Department of Art and Art History: Victor Aguirre Williams, Samantha Gaudette, Jeremy Lukasiewicz, Ryan...

      Contact: Ernest Jolicoeur
    • Black Lives Matter community art exhibition
      Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2021 (All day) to Friday, April 30, 2021 (All day)
      McKillop Library first floor

      The Black Lives Matter community art piece was created by local artists Nycole Marvelous and Jy-Tique Harris, adjunct professor Melody Gamba and students from Gamba's course Arts for Social...

      Contact: Gretchen Sotomayor
    • Signature Salve Day: Psychology
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 9:00am
      Ochre Court

      Signature Salve Days provide opportunities for accepted students to explore their academic interests and learn more about the campus community. These half-day programs include a welcome from...

      Contact: Office of Admissions
    • Succulents and Earth Week launch
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 10:00am to 2:00pm
      Misto Gatehouse

      Stop by the tables outside the Misto Gatehouse to pick up a free succulent plant and learn more about Earth Week activities. Sponsored by the Office of Mission Integration.

    • Signature Salve Day: English, communications and media
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 1:00pm
      Ochre Court

      Signature Salve Days provide opportunities for accepted students to explore their academic interests and learn more about the campus community. These half-day programs include a welcome from...

      Contact: Office of Admissions
    • Study abroad information session
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 4:00pm

      Interested in studying abroad but don’t know where to start? Join the global ambassadors from the Office of International Programs for a crash course on everything you need to know to start your...

    • Fulbright information session
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 4:00pm

      Juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates are welcome to attend this information session on the Fulbright U.S. Student program competition. Participants will learn more about...

      Contact: Erin FitzGerald
    • Phi Sigma Tau induction ceremony and lecture
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 5:00pm

      Join the Department of Philosophy in welcoming the newest inductees of Phi Sigma Tau, the international honor society in philosophy. The evening will feature a guest lecture with Dr. Ann Pang-...

    • Academic coaching workshop: Preparing for finals
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 6:00pm

      Join Salve Regina's peer academic coaches to discuss time management during final exams, ways to conquer exam anxiety and more.

      To register for the workshop, click the link below and...

      Contact: Academic Center for Excellence
    • Seaside Chat
      Date: Monday, April 19, 2021 - 7:30pm

      Join Jim Fowler, vice president for enrollment management, for a series of informative conversations with Salve Regina alumni and other campus leaders. Learn more about the University's...

      Contact: Office of Admissions
  • Browse Sections

    Salve Success

    Health and Wellness

    Mercy Mission

    Arts and Humanities

    Science and Technology

    Event Coverage

    Business and Economics

    Graduate News



Stay Updated

Latest news from SALVEtoday

 

  • Salve Regina University

    100 Ochre Point Avenue
    Newport, Rhode Island 02840 USA

     (401) 847-6650

    (c) 2021 Salve Regina University

  • SALVEtoday Archives

  • Social Media Directory

  • Mercy Emergency Relief Fund


  • News
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Campus Portal Login
Press enter/return to begin your search