Sandy Swensonová se ve své knize, nazvané „The Joey Song“, zabývá palčivým tématem mateřství, lásky a závislosti. Zprostředkovává svou osobní cestu s drogově závislým synem a hledá sílu a útěchu uprostřed zdrcující situace. Její psaní je otevřenou zpovědí, která bourá tabu a nabízí naději těm, kteří procházejí podobnou zkušeností. Swensonová se snaží vytvořit komunitu a společně s ostatními čelit závislosti.
By the age of twenty, Joey has OD'd, attempted suicide, quit college, survived a near-fatal car accident, done time behind bars, and been kicked out of rehab. Now manipulative and hateful, the once sweet and charming Joey is long gone. This is the poignant story of a defiant addict and the mother who won't give up on him.
Through her child’s addiction, a divorce, beginning a career at sixty, caring for aging parents, and facing her own old age alone, Sandra Swenson shares her heartache and her journey of courage, resiliency, and acceptance, inspiring us to believe that no matter what comes our way, it is possible to say we’re “just dandy” and (usually) mean it. In the pages of Just Dandy: Living with Heartache and Wishes, Sandra shares her pain and struggles, strength and determination, as crises continue to unravel her world in unexpected ways. A voice for parents of children suffering with the disease of addiction, Sandra puts their thoughts and feelings into words in this inspiring book—bringing hope, perspective, sanity and empowerment to moms everywhere. This book, along with the Just Dandy Journal, offers moms of children struggling with substance abuse the tools and resources needed to cope.
The book explores the unique bond among mothers of children struggling with addiction and alcoholism, highlighting their shared experiences and emotions. It emphasizes the importance of connection and community in navigating the challenges of addiction, offering insights and support that foster resilience and understanding among these mothers. Through personal stories, the narrative aims to strengthen their collective voice and promote healing.