Richard Taylor sent out his newsletter today, and bravely disclosed : “He is “a person living with the symptoms and diagnosis of dementia. I am now also Richard, a person living with esophageal cancer. It was discovered last week, “staged” this week, and I am working with three physicians on a plan on how to best address this form of Cancer. It is relatively rare (17,000 folks diagnosed in the U.S. of A. each year), and the treatment is relatively dangerous (as high as a 50% death rate within two years of surgery). Each year about 15,000 die of either the cancer or conditions related to the treatment.” He went on to explain further his treatment options and how he has been dealing with this devastating news.

Richard also wrote “I have suspended my advocacy activities for at least the next few months, and probably for longer if I were willing to admit it. I will try to post something each week on my blog.” and went on to say, “I ‘Hail’ the new advocates, the new folks standing up and speaking out. I Hail all of you who are daily in some ways or another confronting, living with, and attempting to humanize dementia care, and especially in those who live with dementia. This is not to my mind farewell. It is at best a pause in my engagement, and at worst a farewell to all the friends I have made while speaking out  about what it is like to me to live with Dementia. I have never thought in terms of “fighting dementia”, being in a war with it, etc. I engage it each day looking to maximize the availability quality of life which is within reach. My reach has shortened a tad, but I’m still reaching, still living my life to its fullest. I am down, but far from out!

If ever I was thinking of giving up advocating and speaking out (and I have been lately, often!), the tears brought to my eyes and the sadness brought to my heart by this news of a friend whom I have only ‘met’ a few times this year in London, but who came into my heart not long after my own diagnosis of dementia as I ‘met’ him then via the internet, and through his book, Alzheimer’s From the Inside Out, and the love and respect I feel for Richard will keep me going. Richard, you are one true friend, and an amazing person full of passion and with an ability to reach into our hearts and souls. Thank you for your friendship, your courage and your willingness to be one of the first beacons of light in the fight against the stigma and discrimination against people with dementia. Richard, my thoughts are with you and your family as you face this new battle, alongside living with the symptoms of dementia.