Early On-set Dementia: The Challenge of Getting People to Understand

By Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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I have a son who has struggled, since early grade school, with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He's had to try to make people understand what it's like for a child to live with what people perceive as "an old people's disease." That was the first thing I thought of when I read R...

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Sue

6/ 3/08 2:37pm

Thanks Carol, hope you are well. This is something that really hits home for me, just turning 40 with 3 very young children. Makes me take pause and hope and pray for good health for me and my husband for several years ahead.

I cannot imagine having this disease at such a young age - and that is exactly the problem folks who do have it face. No one can seem to appreciate it as a disease that can hit folks in their "prime".

So I too applaud the likes of Richard and Leah as well as some of our other members who find the strength to put themselves out there. We are so greatful you do.

Take care and all the best, sue

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Leah, Health Guide

6/ 5/08 11:03am

Thank you for talking about this subject!

I get so tired of hearing people say, "Oh, we all have some memory loss when we get older..." or " I must have dementia, too, then, 'cause I lost my keys this morning..."

I feel that many people just patronize me when I tell them of my diagnosis. I've gotten to the point that I don't even bother to explain anymore. It's not worth the effort most of the time.