I hope you enjoy looking through my articles on my sidebar. I'm glad you dropped by. I have many topics due to life changes that pushed me toward writing three memoirs: A Spiritual Renewal; A Journey to Medjugorje, Someone Stop This Merry-Go-Round; An Alcoholic Family in Crisis and it's sequel Please, God, Not Two; This Killer Called Alcoholism.
There were all kinds of curves that came into my life by the time I reached retirement. My dreams of accomplishments or traveling to far-off tropical islands seemed like a natural wish.
Tragedies changed my life; the lost of my husband, Richard Lopes, and my daughter, Lori Cahill, both of North Dighton, Massachusetts from their alcohol addiction. As a young girl of twenty-one, I entered a marriage unknownly to an alcoholic and our secure, happy life turned to fear, confusion and abuse. Richie was once a loving and happy man who turned into someone I didn't know. After years of him living in denial and me having a small breakdown, we divorced. In 1985 at forty-five years of age, Richie died at the VA Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
In 2004, I learned Lori was following the same path as her father. We watched her enter alcoholic rehabilitation centers three times to only lose her life in 2006 and died at the Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts at thirty-nine years of age.
My first book A Spiritual Renewal; A Journey to Medjugorje is about my relationship with my father, Albert L. Gramm, Sr. a retired One Star Brigadier General in the Army during WWII fighting in the battle of Metz, Lorraine and the Battle of the Bulge. When he died, I realized I had not taken the time to know this great man. I came to find my way back to my faith going on a ten day pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia and had witnessesd four out of six visionaries having apparitions with The Blessed Mother. My life changed forever. My pilgrimage is in this book.
All three of my books are in paperback and Kindle (which have been dropped down from $9.95 to $3.95). A Spiritual Renewal is due to appear on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other online bookstores in paperback and Kindle.
I also teach a three hour workshop "Bring Your Manuscript to Publication" at locations for writers and authors. My sidebar has a lot of help under the Publication Information section for writers and authors.
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Need a public speaker for your conference or company event? Alberta Sequeira speaks from the heart after losing her husband, Richard Lopes of North Dighton, Massachusetts and daughter, Lori Cahill of North Dighton, to alcohol abuse. Her speaking engagement covers the topic "The Effect of Alcoholism on the Whole Family." She offers a deeper talk for private events with alcoholics. Email a request for a quote at memoirs@albertasequeira.com.
She is also available for an hour talk on her "Spiritual Renewal Within" after her pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia which she has presented at women's ministries, organizations and church functions.
Visit my Blog at www.albertasequeira.wordpress.com and read guest posts on the topic of substance abuse from alcoholics and addicts.
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In April of 2011, Al and I met with Steven Meunier, Policy Advisor to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts at his Boston Office, trying to modify the Patient Privacy Act for alcoholic abusers, addicts and mental health patients. The letter went to the Substance Abuse Department in Washington but has not gone further.
This is not a political petition on who is in office but one to reach the president no matter who he may be at the time of presenting this petition. We hope you would support us by sending this petition to as many people you know and ask them to spread this. I was told by Senator Michael Rodriques of the Bristol County Sector that this is a great move but one person can’t accomplish this task.
Thank you,
Al & Alberta Sequeira
Subject: Modify the Patient Privacy Act
To initiate a change in the Patient Privacy Act, to allow immediate family (parents, and/or siblings), access to medical information which can be used to help a substance abuse patient get the proper treatment, primarily when a physician determines that the patient may be in a life-threatening situation because of their addiction.
That’s why I created a petition to President Barack Obama, which says:
“We believe that the substance abuse patient should have the “right to privacy,” but as the law stands now, it can actually be detrimental to their health and well being. Our intent is not so much to change the Patient Privacy Act, as to modify it, especially where it not only pertains to alcohol abuse patients, but also in the case of drug abusers and mental health patients.
Families of patients are prevented from obtaining access to information that may help them to aid in the recovery of the patient when a physician determines that the patient may be in a life-threatening situation because of their addiction.”
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| Book for Substance Abusers |
My name is Alberta Sequeira of Rochester, Massachusetts, and I’m an author of two memoirs (Someone Stop This Merry-Go-Round; An Alcoholic Family in Crisis and its sequel Please, God, Not Two; This Killer Called Alcoholism) written on the death of my husband and daughter from their alcohol addiction.
My next book is going to be for Alcoholics and Addicts written by them. It will be "your" book. I want to know what helped you recover and what didn't work. It's a chance to reach out and help others to learn how to recover from this horrible, worldwide disease.
Contact Alberta Sequeira at mail to: memoirs@albertasequeira.comm and I'll send the 25 questions so you can be part of the group helping others, especially our young children who are lost in this demon's grip. You do not need to use your name. You can initial it with your state or stay anonymous.
Visit Her BLOG: www.albertasequeira.wordpress.com
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Website Started In 2005
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My new memoir A Spiritual Renewal; A Journey to Medjugorje is available through PayPal autographed to you or another person you are sending it to. It's due any time to be available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Review: The visit to Medjugorje can be called a spiritual awakening. Medjugorje is a place where believers need not make apologies for their love of God, for their need to have Jesus in their heart, and for praying. Alberta for so long has left prayer out of her busy life. In Medjugorje there is nothing to distract one from Jesus and His mother’s teachings. Alberta meets four of the six visionaries, is present for two apparitions and makes a triumphant hike to the top of Cross Mountain in the middle of a frightening heart fibrillation. For those who have strayed from their faith, this book could be the key needed to open a door to a journey back to God. In a world that is learning how not to believe, disillusioned by church scandals, distracted by TV, the Internet, and a busy lifestyle, this loving memoir could be just what is needed to get those from all spiritual viewpoints back on track.
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| Websites for Writers and Authors |
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Atlanta Review is a poetry journal operating out of Atlanta. Writers have until June 1 to submit poetry for the Fall issue by post. Editor is Dan Veach.
The Cincinnati Review accepts fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Writers can submit their work between September 1 and May 31 via mail or a new online submission form. Editors are mentioned on their website.
Hayden's Ferry Review accepts fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Writers should submit work through their online submission form only. Editors change every 1-2 years on this publication.
StorySouth publishes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction as well. Writers should submit work through their online submission form only. Editor: Terry Kennedy.
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