Helen Louise Azzara hasn't added a story.
Dear Friends,
As most of you know, my name is Helen Louise Azzara, and I am a
doctoral student of community psychology at Pacifica Graduate
Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. I am reaching out to ask for your
support to complete my PhD so I can help people with dementia. My
focus is on educating caregivers, and society as a whole, to care for
those with dementia in more empathic and humane ways.
I am deeply committed and passionate in exploring how person-centered
methods of expression can be utilized to create meaningful
relationships with persons with dementia and help maintain their
personhood. My dissertation asserts that even though someone has
dementia there is still a soul/person inside and that person can be
reached through the imagination and empathy.
Financial aid is only available for 3 years of the dissertation
writing process and I am still writing into the 4th year. I am
approximately six months away from completing my dissertation, titled
Awakening the Soul of Dementia: A Life Inside. The primary
research question posed in this study is: How can the process of
creative self-expression be utilized as an everyday practice to
maintain the personhood of persons with dementia?
Once I finish analyzing my research data I will be writing the final
draft of my manuscript. As part of my dissertation I will also create
a video performance piece to present a deeper portrayal and
understanding of the experiential world of a person with dementia. The
aim is to have my dissertation done by November of this year.
After earning my doctorate, my goal is to work with neuroscientists
as a creative facilitator researching how creative imagination and a
person-centered approach can be used to develop more empathic care
practices, reduce medications, and help people maintain personhood
through all stages of dementia.
Throughout my career, I have focused on using creativity to better
people’s lives. I have a Master’s Degree in Creative Studies, have
worked as an actress in New York, and spent ten years as a creative
facilitator conducting creativity workshops for older adults. Through
these experiences, I have witnessed time and time again how creative
expression opens up the heart, and enhances overall well-being.
My hope is that $8,000 will cover my tuition and fees, including
mandatory school fees and professional editing fees. Since February
2017, I have been paying $900 a month in tuition to maintain my active
student status. I have a part-time job and social security benefits to
cover my living expenses, but there is very little left over to cover
tuition and additional school expenses.
Many of you know me personally and have given me emotional support on
this journey – my thanks are beyond words! As difficult as this is to
ask, I now need your monetary support to finish -- a monthly donation
of $20 or whatever you can afford, from now through November (5
months). Even a one-time donation would go a long way to meeting
expenses to help me complete my dissertation.
To make a donation please go to the website www.fundrazr.com, listed
under the heading Support Helen Louise to Complete her PhD. (Direct
link to site is: fundrazr.com/helenlouisephd .)
If you prefer to send money directly to me, you can do an online bank
payment, or write a check to Helen Louise Azzara, and send it to 4696
Tajo Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. (There is no processing fee this
way.) And if you have any questions, please email me at hla6@earthlink.net.
To all of you, I thank you for your interest and investment in my
life’s purpose. I appreciate each and every donation and good thought,
and I look forward to continue helping people with dementia maintain
their personhood and well-being throughout their lives — with your help!
With deep gratitude,
Helen Louise
PS If you feel led, please share this campaign with your friends and
family, or anyone you know who might be willing to help provide
support until my final manuscript is approved.