My Hart Thaw

Claire's oldest sister Janice was her erratic roommate and companion through the distress, trauma and personality changes of schizophrenia. Claire and her family learned that while family bonds can be severely stretched, they can never truly be broken.

The Hart family was an ordinary family in the 1950s-seven children, a dog, Sundays at church and summer excursions to the Jersey shore. But when oldest sister Janice was diagnosed with schizophrenia, family dynamics changed. My Hart Thaw is a memoir that traces two sisters' love and challenges for decades. A journey that includes diagnoses of breast cancer, Alzheimer's and chronic Lyme disease. From a young child to a middle- aged adult, Claire was a witness to Janice's prolonged struggles. It's a testament to sisterhood and the faith and courage of a family amidst the chaos.

My Heart Thaw: A Memoir of a Sister's Love, Courage and Faith Amidst the Chaos of Schizophrenia is Claire Hart Daniels’ first foray into the writing world. She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and businesswoman--but most importantly, she is a fellow human on this spiritual journey of life.