C. Andrew Martin, Author, to Speak at the Malden Public Library

C. Andrew Martin will read from his book, Reflections of a loving partner: Caregiving at the End of Life, at the Malden Public Library on Tuesday, May 10^th at 7pm. Books will be available for purchase. This event is free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible. Light refreshments will be served.

A resident of Malden, Andrew began his hospice association in 1993 as a volunteer, and is now a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse at Beacon Hospice, Inc. in Boston. He has taught Death & Dying and Palliative Care Practicum courses at the University of New Hampshire, Boston College, and Saint Joseph’s College Of Maine.

Reflections of a Loving Partner: Caregiving at the End of Life is the intimate story of two devoted partners confronting the challenges of a terminal diagnosis. Martin’s world was shattered when his life partner, Gil, was diagnosed with AIDS.  This eloquent memoir shares their love story, unveiling the burdens and the joys of the caregiving journey. 

Unprepared for the role, but determined to support his ailing partner, Andrew chose to become Gil’s caregiver. To prepare for what lay ahead, Andrew enrolled in hospice volunteer training, learning lessons to guide him through the medical, emotional, spiritual, and legal hazards of caregiving. Despair turned to hope, allowing open, healthy discussions about death between the two men.

Andrew has turned his personal experience into his life’s work.  He offers “End-of-Life” Coaching exercises at the end of the book to guide readers back to caregiving basics.