Kasey’s next book, coming in October 2024
Finding the Light, Navigating Dementia with My Son
REVIEWS
Some stories are impossible to look away from, and from its very first sentence, Finding the Light, Navigating Dementia with My Son by Kasey J. Claytor proves itself one of them. “…when my 49-year-old son, Justin, was first diagnosed with a form of early-onset dementia, I was stunned.” Without hesitation, the book draws readers into a saga of family, illness, and resilience.
Although a memoir, Finding the Light is in many ways an instructional text, too. Readers don’t need similar medical situations to draw from Claytor’s lessons of improvement. The conversational, approachable writing style serves this purpose well.
Although it’s in chronological order, this is an unconventional, modern text.
Traditional scene-based paragraphs are offset by poetry, informative sidebars, and even the full text of letters sent throughout Justin’s illness. Claytor deftly shifts between these sections, building a cohesive narrative from which readers can easily learn.
The past is vibrant and immediate: Claytor chronicles events in rich yet simple prose as Justin falls deeper into frontotemporal dementia, or FTD.
Yet Claytor also pauses often to address readers directly with a reflective tone from the present day. This gives welcome context to the book’s main narrative. She uses everything she’s learned to help readers understand Justin’s illness. FTD is a progressive, terminal disease—and a mysterious one, with no known cause. Finding the Light explains FTD patiently, without delving too far into medical details or terminology.
Claytor’s an adept records-keeper, combining her carefully recreated personal experience with thorough research.
The details she offers, from specific dates to particular images (piles of unopened mail, drives along the river road), give the story a tangible quality, as though readers are having this experience alongside her. Yet sometimes, the details come in the stark form of a list or a set of bullet points instead. These breaks from traditional prose offer a sense of the fractured, clinical experience that a terminal illness can become.
At times, Claytor’s emotions burn bright, particularly in her frustrations with the poor training and management at several care facilities. Yet she quickly pulls back from these moments of anger or frustration, letting her present-day self take over with calm reflection instead. She explains her calmness well, however, instructing readers, through example, on the deep value of patience and compassion.
Claytor truly excels at “finding the light,” just as the book’s title suggests.
“Every time I read these words like ‘horrible’ about FTD, it hurts like a paper cut,” she writes. This book offers consistent positivity without the emotional artifice that self-help or instructional books sometimes resort to. Claytor accepts Justin’s changing situation, watching him revert in many ways to his child self, and even finds beauty in this process. She finds true acceptance. And throughout this book, readers may learn how to accept similarly challenging situations in their own lives.
Finding the Light often feels like a long and enthralling conversation over coffee with a friend.
Between its accessible writing style and the unpredictable medical situation, the book becomes impossible to put down. At each turn readers will find a surprising development, such as when Justin contends with COVID, or when he must repeatedly move to new facilities. And each development is carefully contextualized with compassion for Justin, for his caretakers, and for everybody touched by the impacts of FTD. A literary rhythm emerges: touching scene, thoughtful reflection, clear information.
As Justin’s tale with FTD comes to a close, Claytor addresses the reader one last time, with a message for the painful, difficult turns in life.
The final sections of the book are written in the second person, as Claytor wraps up the narrative with a set of clear, actionable takeaways. The last chapter, “7 Survival Tips for Rough Times,” is a welcome reminder that while everyone’s challenges are different, we must all face them. The test is how we navigate these experiences. Thanks to Finding the Light, readers will have a roadmap for travelling through whatever dark paths life has in store with grace, acceptance, and love.
Chanticleer Book Reviews
I was deeply moved by Justin’s journey as Kasey Claytor depicted in the book. Dalai Lama may see it as a reminder of the frailty of the human condition and the importance of compassion, patience, and love in caring for those who are suffering. It can be an opportunity to practice empathy, kindness, and selflessness in supporting individuals with dementia and their families.
Practical advice given for families within this book in similar situation is invaluable
Vijay Jain MD, Integrative Medicine physician integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine.
I first met Justin when I was working as a new nurse at Market Street. Although his time with us was cut short, he will forever be a positive light in my nursing journey. His love for his mom (BME)and brother Aaron, was so apparent. Kasey and her family played such a pivotal role in Justin’s health and wellbeing, and advocating for him was always their priority. In this memoir, Kasey showcases FTD on a raw, unfiltered, emotional level. This book will be such an eye-opening tool for other families and healthcare professionals!
Danielle Torres, LPN
“Finding the Light offers a ground-level and personable view into the experience of FTD for all whom it touches. Perhaps more importantly, Claytor provides the crucial reminder of the inherent wholeness that is ever retained in those diagnosed with FTD – witnessed here in the life of her son, Justin. This book serves not as a disembodied manual or how-to guide, but rather as a humane and spiritual reorientation to the gifts in life that will not be limited by the diminishment of cognitive functioning.”
Rev. Matthew Kern, MDiv
Reviews for The Money Map, A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success
“Have you ever wondered how you got to where you are financially, and why? Would you like to find the financial freedom you so long for? Would you like to know how to be a successful investor? Or do you just want to be able to manage your finances a little better? If you said “yes” to any of these, Kasey Claytor offers this comprehensive guide to reaching the financial stability that is possible for us all.
She begins by introducing 10 Levels of Financial Consciousness. Clearly and compassionately, she explains what is experienced at each level, and how to start moving up the financial ladder.
If you’re investing or want to, she offers extensive guidelines and pointers to help you avoid unnecessary pitfalls. She does this so you’ll know what you are doing and why.
Charts, exercises and affirmations are included to support you in every stage of this process.
According to Kasey (and the many luminaries with whom she has studied), our financial situation is always affected by our habitual thinking and beliefs. In other words, what goes on inside goes on outside.
That is why Kasey sees financial success both as a practical and a spiritual goal. We don’t often hear that, or even understand how spirituality could fit into our picture until we realize that our financial health isn’t just about money.
You see, money isn’t the total answer. What we really want is to be happy. That is why Kasey asks you to look at your thoughts and feelings, beliefs and fears, because this journey is really about discovering yourself. When you find “that,” the answers – and the peace you long for – will be there, too.
Brilliantly yet thoughtfully written, this book has something for everyone, regardless of their financial status. Highly recommended!”
Donna Miesbach
Certified Chopra Global Meditation & Yoga Instructor
Award-winning Poet & Author
“In this book, The Money Map, Kasey Claytor blends great spiritual knowledge and values with her expertise on everything financial. If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t seem to breakthrough to more prosperity, I think this book is for you. Solid financial guidance mixed with mind/body/spirit principles to raise your ‘money consciousness’ as Claytor has defined it. It’s whole-health for your financial wellbeing.”
Mark Anthony, JD, Psychic Explorer (aka The Psychic Lawyer® Psychic Attorney and Psychic Adventurer), is a world-renowned fourth generation science based evidential psychic medium who communicates with spirits. He is the author of the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed spiritual bestsellers The Afterlife Frequency, Evidence of Eternity and Never Letting Go.
“The Money Map is way more than a book…it is an experience of having a wise and compassionate mentor standing next to you and taking you by the hand. As your personal ally you’ll find Kasey Claytor to be a strong and steadfast champion while, at the same time, she is absolutely real and vulnerably transparent as she shares about her own dark night of the soul money moments.
The cumulative effect of participating in the Money Map journey is one of feeling simultaneously challenged and inspired. Use every bit of practical wisdom offered here to build an unshakable financial foundation while reaching beyond your current imaginings of what might be possible for you.”
Elyse Hope Killoran, Prosperity Coach and creator of the multidimensional “Anchoring Prosperity” CD.
With warmth, humanity and insight, Kasey Claytor invites readers on a transformative journey towards heightened money consciousness. The Money Map offers a relatable guide that delves into the interconnected realms of the non-physical and the material.
Whether you’re seeking to elevate your money mindset or harmonize your financial journey with your personal growth path, this book is a wonderful companion. Kasey’s personal story resonates long after the final page, leaving you equipped to embrace a more conscious, inspired and empowered relationship with money.
Hema Vyas, The Omnipreneurial Psychologist™
“There is something magical about money—the way it appears and disappears, grows and shrinks, and, in a similar way of taming a hesitant wild horse, with calm assuredness and confidence, not only will you learn to control it, but you will find you can joyfully master it.” -Author Kasey J. Claytor
Claytor insists that every successful endeavor starts with an individual’s thinking and beliefs. She details this concept – and how to live with it in mind – in her new book, The Money Map: A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success.
From the onset of her business-oriented career, Claytor has drawn from her beliefs as she upholds financial success as a spiritual goal. In this volume, she takes the mystery out of money to show it as an extension of the mind, body, and spirit. Claytor ensures the beginning of an endearing journey toward clearer financial decision-making, investments, and goals by asking readers to identify the worries of their own ego and to eliminate unproductive ideas and actions.
Claytor offers insight on how one can change their thinking and behavior to allow the floodgates of abundance to open up, with solid advice for achieving undivided focus, intelligent poise, and a competent thought technique.
She asserts that everyone can step outside of themselves and hold the point of view of the observer. If one is mindful and aware of their present moment, they can move toward much-needed peace and confidence, allowing the growth of new ideas and productivity.
The route to monetary independence may appear too steep to ascend, but The Money Map will guide readers to the summit, one checkpoint at a time.
This book’s eye-opening revelations about the mindsets of affluent people and its secrets to what they carry inwardly, earn it must-read status in the business resources category.
The Money Map: A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success will provide readers with invaluable advice, standing beside such works as Spiral Dynamics by Dr. Don Edward Beck Ph. D., Map of the Scale of Consciousness by Dr. David Hawkins M.D. Ph. D., and Integral Psychology by Ken Wilbur. The Money Map will aid anyone in discovering the most beneficial path to financial success, regardless of their current situation.
Chanticleer Book Reviews
