Who we are
Lisa Pastore
My name is Lisa and I am Elda’s youngest daughter. In 2018 I made the decision to take a leave of absence because my family was having difficulties with my mothers changing behavior and decisions had to be made. After spending a year caring for my mother in Florida, I brought her to Italy where I was living, with the thought at the time, that I should return to my normal life while caring for her.
The unknowns to the decision of becoming a caretaker is and can be overwhelming; especially because you cannot determine or estimate anything such as: the time limit or changes that will occur during this journey. I fortunately am someone who does not dwell in the future but lives in the present and I believe with love and determination all obstacles can be confronted and overcome.
To care for my mother I left an 8 year job that I loved. I worked in a school as an assistant (Instructor) for Art Restoration of paintings, frescos and furniture (wooden objects). It was a job full of gratification, giving me the opportunity to restore historic objects from the 15-18th century and more importantly to pass this passion onto my students. The idea that I am now 56 and without work, has brought on days of fear for my future, but my belief in life always wins out over the fear.
I began creating the booklets for my mother to help her but at the same time they gave me something to do for myself. It not only was a good outlet for me, but her reactions were so amazing that I wanted to share them. It is from the love for my mother, her well being and the desire to help others struggling with Alzheimers/Senile Dementia that Per l’amore di Elda came into fruition.
I am a lover of the arts and nature and have lived my life chasing after my dreams. This has not always been an easy road! I have travelled down many dark paths and sacrificed earning money for my loves and/or helping others to excel. However, I have no regrets. I believe anything is possible when you have the passion to follow through with your goals and desires! Through my eyes there is always light at the end of every tunnel, and I choose to continually fly forward.
I have an AA in graphic design, BS in Art Restoration and Conservation and a Masters Degree in Preventative Conservation.
Angela Mascia
My name is Angela, I am a friend of Lisa and Elda, and am 55 years old and am realizing time flies fast. I work for Dolce and Gabbana. I live for the love of family and friends, (even if many times I would have chosen to not live through certain moments). Since I was a child I have always helped my mother, my sisters and brother (I am the 4th of 6 children); we had an alcoholic father so there were plenty of opportunities to do so.
When I was 18 I met a girl in the hospital, with neurological problems, where my grandmother was hospitalized. She was absent from this world and in a world all of her own. She had stopped doing normal daily activities such as: geting up, brushing her hair/teeth and living in general when I met her and she was only able to open her eyes. I started going into her room to talk to her even if she didn't answer; then one day she responded and began to react. I can not express how this experience of watching someone “wake-up“ made me feel good, happy.
I am a very sensitive person but I can also be strong, I always try to be a better person and even when I can’t manage to be, I am sincere, true and I do not hide my defects; they are part of me.
Another thing I love is writing, I've always used it as a way to blow off steam. I wrote endlessly about the pain I felt from my fathers abuse and how we all suffered. I also wrote about love, poems and nice sentiments, however as life passes I wrote less and less, so I'm happy to have found a new motivation and love to express myself through my experience with Mamma Elda. Sorry if every now and then you find some grammatical errors!
Contributors
I graduated with a Masters in Clinical & Health Psychology and Neuropsychology in Florence Italy, in 2022. My area of interest is the burden of cargivers related to dementia. I am currently doing a post-graduate internship at an eating disorder center in Umbertide, Umbria. In 2021 I had the pleasure of carrying out a year of civil service in an Alzheimer's daycare center. There
where I took part in many cognitive stimulation workshops and experienced this harsh reality firsthand; it was an experience full of emotions and stimulating from both a professional and a human point of view.
In my free time I like reading and being in contact with nature, especially trekking and mountain walks. I love to travel, discover new cultures and get in touch with other realities.
Noemi Gabbolini
MS in Clinical & Health Psychology and Neuropsychology