We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dawn Pace Blasingame a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn Pace, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Well. My husband became critically/terminally ill. Having to navigate the medical and insurance community by myself, I learned along the way the ins and outs. I was frustrated a lot and getting nowhere. I took so many notes, talked to so many people, and realized there were thousands or more just like me. Thrust into the role of being a caregiver while still doing our thing. Like being a full -time worker, a sports mom, involved in children’s activities, church, community events. All that. Now having to fit in another “full time” job on top of that. With little help and no pay. I was so frustrated.
All the red tape, the “just google it” and “Sorry, I don’t talk to families”. There had to be more.
I took all my notes and wrote a book. I wanted to share my experiences and some resources, maybe help out others.
I knew I had a ministry developing. It’s still developing. Growing.
But I want that “boots on the ground” approach someday.
So, I am growing, still learning.
I have been doing podcasts, presentations, and now am applying for Tedx talks. Trying to get my message out there.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an author. I wrote a book “All That Remains, A Caregiver’s Guide Through the Complex World of Healthcare and Letting Go.” It came out a year ago. It’s on Amazon.
It’s a memoir about my and my husband’s story, our journey from his diagnosis to his death. I hope it inspires hope, resilience and faith in people. It’s not meant to be sad. It’s meant to inspire. But it is the base of my budding ministry.
I want to be a resource, a help, and a place someone can come to talk, get some practical help, and perhaps a resource or two. I want to be a prayer partner for them, and a shoulder.
I want to inspire caregivers to find their voice, get their answers and some real help. Teach them that self-care is a priority and the more educated they are, the more they understand and less fearful they will be. Teach them to be an integral part of their loved one’s healthcare.
I would also LOVE an opportunity to speak to those who make laws about the rights of patients and their families. I think some updates to the caregiver rights needs to be considered. Did you know that right now the HIPAA doesn’t give you a “right” as the caregiver? It tells the doctor that they CAN talk to you but they really DO NOT HAVE TO. That needs to change. A well-informed caregiver is invaluable, especially when the patient goes home.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My husband ended up in a rehab hospital for treatment using IV antibiotics. He became so violently ill that he decided it was too much and wanted hospice care. The doctor refused, based on their belief he needed to keep doing a treatment that wasn’t working. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t get anyone to listen to him.
I showed up early one day and had a conversation with the doctor who again told me that they believed my husband should just continue IV medications, despite what he wanted.
I asked for someone else to oversee him. Someone who believed in hospice care.
Finally we were heard.
It was a tough lesson and a tough time. I was literally fighting for my husband’s right to die, knowing the outcome.
I realized that so many patients and families get bullied into doing what doctors want instead of what’s best for them. I want to help change that. Make a difference and help support caregivers and their families.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I am normally a quiet person who is not much into crowds.
With this experience and journey I have not only learned to find my voice but leaned to use it.
I have written a book, put myself out there on Instagram and am working on a Caregiver group for Facebook.
I have done some public speaking been on a podcast and am working on getting more opportunities to share my story and my ministry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: dawn_pace_blasingame
• Facebook: Dawn Pace Blasingame
• Linkedin: Dawn Pace Blasingame

Image Credits

* All photos taken by me. The photo of the man is my husband and inspiration for my ministry. The photo of the red-headed woman is a friend whose book I autographed.