A speaker, author, photographer and support and discussion group authority, who admits she should spend more time with butt in chair to write, Monica Vest Wheeler focuses on sharing everything she’s learned by listening, collecting and sharing the emotional and everyday challenges of living with and caregiving for loved ones with injuries, illnesses and diseases … particularly those related to the brain, which are so misunderstood, shunned and stereotyped.

She’s not afraid to talk about them in a world that often looks the other way. She’s become a master in being raw and real … because we need a whole lot of more honesty these days …        and it really heals more than it hurts.   

Monica’s mission is to educate, enlighten, engage and entertain on the topic of caregiving and the human side of brain challenges. Her personal caregiving experiences — for her father-in-law, mother, cousin and aunt — also bring a unique empathy to individuals and audiences. She’s facilitated hundreds of intimate group discussions for Alzheimer’s families and stroke survivors and caregivers to reassure them that while their experiences are unique, they are not alone. She also puts a “face” on brain injuries, illnesses and disease with her photography that shows that there is still life to be lived … and enjoyed.

Home has been Peoria, Illinois, since 1979 when Monica married Roger Wheeler, who remains her chief cheerleader, though he refuses to wave pom poms. They have a son, Gordo, and two rescue cats, Gabriel and Bling, both of whom have special needs and have found a special home.