Dr. Vaughn James, recently honoured in US National Law Journal, plans to return to Dominica to advocate for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients

University Professor, lawyer, author and Alzheimer’s advocate, Dominica-born Dr. Vaughn E James, has his eyes set on returning to Dominica, to open a first-of-its-kind legal clinic, for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Recently, the National Law Journal, a special supplement spotlighting professionals who are “agents of change in their respective practice areas” named Dr. James, who teaches and practices law in the state of Texas, in its May/June 2022 elite list of Trailblazers.

The visually impaired Dominican was honoured for being a pathfinder and one who has fought for justice, chronicled, and educated, on Alzheimer’s disease.

Sharing his story, he told Dominica News Online (DNO) that it all started in 2004 when learning that his sister, who at the time was 45 years old, had been diagnosed with the illness which causes a continuous decline in one’s thinking, behavioural and social skills and their ability to function independently.

“I had never heard of someone that young suffering from Alzheimer’s disease because oftentimes we regard it as something for elderly people, so that day hearing the news I sat at my desk completely shocked,” he said. “Then I flew home to draft my sister’s estate planning and end-of-life instruments, then returned to Texas determined to let people know about Alzheimer’s disease and all it entails.”

Dr. James a former calypsonian monarch who under the sobriquet King Shakey, became a six-time winner of various calypso competitions locally and regionally, is now a devout Seventh-day Adventist, who for the past decade has dedicated his time to writing two books per year on Elder law and religion.

At the time of his sister’s diagnosis, he was working with a medical school professor towards publishing an Elder Law textbook for use by both law and medical school students. However, after receiving the news, he immediately abandoned that project and shifted his attention to writing to raise awareness and penned his first book on the disease ‘The Alzheimer’s Advisor: A Caregiver’s Guide to Dealing with the Tough Legal and Practical Issues.’

“I did so because I realized that when you don’t understand the disease, you treat people very badly. People don’t understand why Alzheimer’s patients behave the way they do, why they get violent, and why they say the things they do. People think they are crazy and don’t understand that Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain, not a disease of the mind so I set out to tell people just that,” Dr. James said.

In honour of his tireless work, the legal professional, who has amassed seven degrees – three of which are doctorates – since leaving Dominica in 1983, was nominated by a former member of the cabinet of President George W. Bush’s administration, to be recognized for his noble efforts.

He told DNO that he was humbled to be among the 21 others selected for the trail blazer award in the field of law but credits his success to his upbringing and the guidance and support which he has received in Dominica.

Naming several individuals, he said, “ It’s because of my teachers in Dominica, and the people who taught me so well. If it had not been for them, I don’t think I would have achieved any of this on my own. I have been blessed with great people who taught me along the way and made me yearn for learning.  People instilled in me that quest to learn. They shaped me to be what I am today. I certainly cannot take credit for anything without remembering all those great teachers and people who made me who I am. And so I thank them for what they’ve done to bring me to this point today.”

Dr. James’ second book and third publication on Alzheimer’s will be officially launched on July 20 this year, but he said a limited number of copies will be available “in dribs and drabs” before then.

“Meanwhile, negotiations continue with HarperCollins for a new and updated edition of The Alzheimer’s Advisor. We’ll see how that works out,” Dr. James also informed DNO.

As to what the future holds, his intention is to return to Dominica to advocate and seek justice for those suffering from the disease and well as raise awareness among the population on the need for a declaration of a guardianship while they are while they’re still healthy which allows for someone to decide who will make decisions on their behalf if they’re to ever acquire the diseases.

“People suffering from dementia need legal help,” Dr James stressed. “They needed a declaration of guardianship and advance directive passed into law in Dominica and I am determined to come home and ensure that this is done. I have been doing it in the United States, therefore I am more than ready to return to have it done in my homeland.”

A list of Dr. James book and publishers over the past two decades includes:

1)Texas Elder Law, 2022 Edition (Washington, D.C.: Full Court Press, 2022)

2)Contemporary Issues in Law and Religion, First Edition (New Orleans, LA: Esquire Books, 2021)

3)Texas Elder Law, 2020 Edition (Washington, D.C.: Fastcase, 2020)

4)Elder Law — Cases and Materials (New Orleans, LA: Esquire Books, 2019)

5)Texas Elder Law, 2018 Edition (New York, NY: ALM Publishing, 2017)

6)Planning for Incapacity: Helping Clients Prepare for Potential Future Crises, Vol. 9 Estate

7)Planning & Community Property Law Journal (2017)

8)Texas Elder Law, 2017 Edition (New York, NY: ALM Publishing, 2016)

9)Current Conflicts in Law and Religion: Cases and Materials (Lake Mary, FL: Vandeplas Publishing, 2015)

10)No Help for the Helpless: How the Law Has Failed Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, Vol. 7 Journal of Health and Biomedical Law (2012)

11)The Alzheimer’s Advisor: A Caregiver’s Guide to Dealing with the Tough Legal and Practical Issues (New York, NY: Amacom Books, 2009)

12)Reaping Where They Have Not Sowed: Have American Churches Failed to Satisfy the Requirements for the Religious Tax Exemption?, Vol. 43 The Catholic Lawyer (2004)

13)Twenty-first Century Pirates of the Caribbean: How the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation Robbed Fourteen CARICOM Countries of Their Tax and Economic Policy Sovereignty, Vol. 34 University of Miami Inter-American Law Review (2002)