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Congratulations on choosing life over withdrawal. People like you and Dr. Richard Taylor are inspirational beacons in the dark world of dementia, helping others to better understand your new world, and to appreciate the fact that, as Dr. Taylor (and you in very similar words) said, " ... we're here ... every single day ... we're ALL here. We may not be all hear the way we were yesterday, but we're here today."
As Carol also said, I'll be posting links to you everywhere I can.
I truly appreciate your kindness. This piece just flowed through my fingers to the keyboard. I believe that God is working through me. It is my passion to help others to understand what it is like for those of us with dementia. Perhaps my words will help caregivers to have a better perspective on "where" their loved one really is...
Hope to hear from you again!
Leah,
I just came to your post via a post on Minding Your Elders. I haven't had much time to look around, but I really love your honesty and your spirit. I have a question for you (and anyone who's received a dementia diagnosis) that I hope you won't mind answering.
I'm promoting National Memory Screening Day. The company I work for will be offering free memory screenings for anyone who's interested. We're recommending screening for anyone 55+ who feels the need (has trouble remembering, is told they repeat themselves, loses things...). I'm finding that people aren't sure they want to know there's a problem. I understand the fear factor to some extent, but I'm not there yet. My question: If you could not know your diagnosis, would you choose that option? In other words, are you better off knowing (as soon as possible), or would you rather not know?
I, personally, prefer to face head-on whatever adversity may arise. How else can one deal with it? Ignoring it, putting one's head in the sand, does NOT put off the disability! Facing it squarely on, I know what I am fighting and what I must do to make life best for me. I don't have to worry about maybe having dementia---I KNOW I do, and I do all I can to keep myself and my mind as healthy and active as possible. Do I ever get down? Of course! And then I pull myself up and get on with living! I am so blessed to be able to function as well as I do. I am so blessed to be able to travel some, to be able to do the everyday activities necessary, to be able to interact with family and friends, to laugh and to love. If I kept worrying about maybe having dementia and/or trying to hide the prognosis, I would be expending a lot of needless energy! Of course, not everyone is alike. Hope I've answered your question.
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This is brilliant and touching, Leah. I will be linking back to this from all over.
Carol
Thanks,Carol. I hope I am a voice for those with dementia AND an inspiration. There are so few of us who speak up. I delight in helping in any way I can. And, YOU are an inspiration to all those caregivers who are searching for up to the minute advice and information. God bless yoU!