The Wounded in Our Midst

At age fifty, Christine Mungai's mother was diagnosed with dementia, and it was the beginning of an unexpected life journey for the two of them. Two lives suddenly begin to unravel and at the same time they were transformed by the challenges they faced. In The Wounded in Our Midst, Mungai shows how caregiving can be an unintended symbiotic relationship between the caregiver and the loved one. Christine shares the new perceptions she formed while taking care of her mother and how they shaped her experience as a caregiver and her outlook on life. She tells how caregiving can be heartbreaking, but it is not inconsequential. It is life changing. In The Wounded in Our Midst, Christine addresses the emotional conflict, self-stigmatization, and challenges caregivers face. She communicates that the wounded in our midst are the mirrors that help us clearly see our own reflections. They reflect how bright or dim our light is. Therefore, when they show up, it is important to have the courage to look at your reflection, identify murk, and withstand the polishing.