Yearning for university
Almost from my first day at school
Nursing came long instead
Long before that became a degree
Like an escape
And still no university for me
And in spite of this
Many other things were achieved and accomplished
Life now with dementia, and
Incredibly, university has become part of my life
At least for now
Certainly until the ‘intellectual reserve’
I am so regularly reminded will run out (!)
University was not what I needed to really succeed
No, not even one little bit
But perhaps dementia was?
A really interesting blog Kate, thank you. As you know, because of dad’s dementia, university didn’t happen for me either. To quote you: “University was not what I needed to really succeed. No, not even one little bit. But perhaps dementia was?”. I couldn’t have written that better myself, nor could I align with the sentiment in your words any more. I know our experiences are very different, yours as a person living with dementia, and mine as someone who spent many years supporting my parent through his unique experiences of dementia, but through our differences so much commonality too. Sending love and hugs xx
Love and hugs back to you all to dear Beth xox
Your cognitive reserve won’t “run out”, dear Kate, it’ll change how it compensates. Never lose sight of Stephen Hawking’s influence on assistive technologies…This new university challenge will help you, I think, to find just how much work you’ve already done and to congratulate yourself.
Dementia may have shown you who you really are: a glorious soul, a dear heart, a full human being whose time to act matters to all who love and respect you. “Take it slow” as Veda says. xx
Thanks girlfriends… took it very slow yesterday, spending a lovely day with another dear friend Libby in the Barossa Valley! xo
Kate, you have a PhD in the University of Life! 🙂
Haha, yes I had that, long before I went to uni, and also one from the ‘School of hard knocks’!
You are a beautiful soul. An amazing person. You achieve every day, not just in your personal successes but in the lives you touch. Bless you.
Thank you Allison xx
There are many ways to measure success as a person. Degree; Wealth; University; Friends, etc etc. Any way I look at it, you are a great teacher as well as a success. You’ve influenced many people in a positive way Kate. I agree with your comment about Dementia, I’ve learnt much through this thing called Dementia.
My greatest measure of personal success, is if I am a nice person… glad you too have learned much from Mr Dementia too John, and unlike those who insist we are all suffering, it is not all bad!
Dementia closed doors and it also opened doors and I made new friends too. Thanks Mr Dementia.
Absolutely John… we have a wonderful, mostly non judgemental family of people with dementia and our partners, wonderful people who have filled in the gaps in our hearts from those who walked away ❤ ❤ ❤
Yes exactly Kate. Some days I feel fortunate to have Dementia because usually I can see what I have gained. Anyway, with regards ‘others’, it’s their loss.
Yep… and we have an incredible new ‘family’ which makes me thankful for dementia. Shines a true light on the shallowness of humanity!
Mature students bring a different perspective to learning. How fortunate that you are able to share with the ‘learned folk’ in the comfort of their own homes! Hope they continue to pay attention to your teaching!
Some will, some won’t, and some wont’t give a toss… that’s all ok too!