The Next Room with Jane Asher

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Laing Rikkers is a leader in the field of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, an often hidden - and potentially fatal - medical condition. Though OSA is estimated to affect 75 million Americans, most people don't even know they have it. Tragically, that was the case with her sister who died of undiagnosed OSA. In her grief, Laing sought solace from nature and creativity, and her new book Morning Leaves, provides a path for self-exploration, connection, and healing from loss. Her mission now is to save lives by encouraging people to pay attention to the symptoms of OSA so they can better care for themselves and their loved ones.

After reading The Artist’s Way in the summer of 2020, Laing started writing a journal every morning, but it was months before it became clear that it would lead to a book. The creative process turned out to be a critical step in processing the sudden loss of her younger sister, Ginna. Ginna’s unexpected death, combined with the vulnerability Laing felt during the pandemic, brought into focus the need to ensure that her children truly knew her. What started as a an exercise in typing up poems and journal entries, became the backbone of Morning Leaves. From there, the book took on a life of its own. Laing has found that one of the greatest gifts of the process has been connecting more closely with like-minded people and feeling their support as she engages more artistically.