Thanks to all those who are sending e-mailing and thanks to Antonio Martinez for introducing us to presidential hopeful Gov Richardson of New Mexico

The stories I am reading are worse that my own. It saddens me deeply to see the pain of elder abuse striking so many families. It's a sad commentary on what's happening in our country. I am speechless at the outpouring of grief and despair.

On another note, Governor Bill Richardson of NM is a delightful man and I certainly hope he finds his way to the ballot.

Please, readers, do your best to get out there in the world and start talking about elder abuse. It may be the last taboo in our society.

Please make a difference and send letters to senators as instructed on the site.

Thanks and God bless,
Irene

From victim to advocate...

Many years ago when the events in Paradise Costs unfolded, I was ignorant of the social implications of what my family faced. I over-simplified the matter. I saw the events as local issues. However, I have grown in my consciousness. My mind has expanded. There was a time when that would have been good news. Sadly, I have been staggered by a reality that effects more Americans than I could have ever imagined.

Do we hear more about elder abuse now or is elder abuse growing?

I cannot answer that question. What I can answer is this. Will elder abuse go away?
No, it won't. The numbers are growing (the stats are on this site) yet why isn't the Elder Justice Act or the numbers of victims part of the Presidential campaign?

That's a good question and perhaps baby boomers need to be asking ourselves that and then asking the candidates the same question. Perhaps they fear the baby boomers and the power that we have. Our reach is far and deep. We control the next election. THINK ABOUT IT. Use your political and economic clout, baby boomers. Call your Senator's office. Ask the provocative questions. STOP ELDER ABUSE. Take a stance.

We can change the future by taking ACTION NOW!

thank you,
Irene

thank you to those who have written

Paradise Costs: A Victim's Daughter Fight Back Against Elder Abuse was released on 11/10/07

We are asking the senior citizens of America to participate
in a pro-active rally to: STOP ELDER ABUSE NOW.

Please call your senator and congressman and send
your reality writing letters TODAY.

Every senior citizen is a "foot soldier" in a war to stop this pandemic from spreading to the estimated numbers. It's simple MAKE A CHOICE.

Are you part of the problem?
Well, then, keep doing nothing... and pray that this social ill does not manifest in your life. DENY that it exists. Find fault with the messanger...find fault with the message...find fault with the victim. Keep your head buried in the sand and take a THIS CANNOT HAPPEN TO ME attitude.

WILL YOU BE PART OF THE SOLUTION?
If you are solution oriented rather than blame oriented, PLEASE make copies of the reality writing letters that are tear outs in this book or downloadable and free right at this site and ask your doctor, house of worship, college, newspaper, gym, senior center to give them to anyone who will particpate and can spread the word. Fill out yours please and mail them to your senators TODAY.

PLEASE... Ask your local STAPLES, OFFICE DEPOT, FED EX, KINKO'S location to donate 100 copies to save the lives of senior citizens across this country. Join the ELDER JUSTICE COALTION (Google it, please?), hold a rally, a love in, a sit in, a copy in...do something, anything, to draw attention to the ELDER JUSTICE ACT now on the floor of both Houses.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU HEARD ABOUT THE ELDER JUSTICE ACT? CALL YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND ASK THEM WHY and tell them we have FREE by-lined articles for that purpose to rally this nation to STOP ELDER ABUSE NOW.

Be an advocate or be a victim. It's your choice for the decision you make now has implications in the creation of your future.

CHOSE ACTION, please?

THANK YOU,
Irene

Irene A. Masiello
reach me at:
irenemasiello@msn.com