This last week was the third funeral of a younger person with dementia. I only knew Deb in the mid and later stages of her disease, but have become very close with her husband Fred, who has been one very amazing husband and BUB for his beloved. Sadly, Deb had to live in aged care in the…
It seems the last two Tuesdays I have forgotten about my new theme of humour! Perhaps I’ve had other things on my mind… Anyway, this cartoon gave me a laugh, even though some might find it offensive, especially if they have dementia. If so I apologise. I hope not, as it is better to laugh as often…
The effect of grief these last few weeks has been that my energy and paddling has not been able to keep up with finding the ideas to write or edit many my own blogs. My draft folder is full, but still I have not been able to complete many, and so I’ve ‘cheated’ on many days……
co·nun·drum /kəˈnəndrəm/ Noun 1. A confusing and difficult problem or question. 2. A question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer; a riddle My voice was analysed on radio last week and I was glad the few minutes I was interviewed on air showed very little of the impairment in my speech…
Remnants of dreams Floating through the softness of my dreams Finding remnants of tapestries from life stories Stories about you and me, of family, friends Perhaps even some of enemies Softly woven together with strands of silk and Australian wool Coloured occasionally with guilt or an ‘if only’ Always resonating with gentle moments of remembered love The childhood…
Rest in Peace dear Deb Tanner… Yesterday was the third death of another friend with younger onset dementia. We will attend her funeral over the next few days, and mourn her loss, and support her family and friends, and each other as best we can. With three deaths in as many weeks, it seems I am currently experiencing a…
The last two weeks we have faced the deaths of two friends, both with younger onset dementia although my dear friend Michael had so many other serious illnesses, thankfully it was right down at the bottom of the ladder of his life. However, for the last few days we have been waiting on the phone call to…
The dementia train A lottery ticket Lost inside an MRI machine Results that reach into your soul A pass for the dementia train Slowly taking off Speeding around corners It stops at the station But no way to get off And no-one can get on No Fat Controller here Controlling the ride…
This last week we have faced the death of another friend, a very dear 57-year-old man named Michael, the person I wrote the poem about on Saturday. He has had to live in an aged care facility for the last 18 months, and I am sure his experience of living in aged care, in his mid fifties has been quite difficult for…
Last week I started a theme for Tuesdays, and have decided to stick with it, at least for this week. The theme is humour, and some of the comments last Tuesday reminded me of a true story that suits their theme… some were about the possibility of God being a women, or having a feminine side. When…
A day of mourning Milestones on the road to death Every cell of the body starting to fade And yet the human spirit prevails The heart keeps throbbing, defiantly… One whole week struggling against another setback A life well lived, but trying to hold on His incredible intellect and humour Wanting to let go, not quite knowing how…
On Monday the husband of another friend who had been diagnosed with younger onset dementia was buried. Of course, this has been part of the reason I have fudged a few blogs this week… We found out he had died on the last day of the Alzheimer’s Australia 15th national conference last Friday, and it…
Impossible really says I’m possible… From small acts of kindness through to small steps towards fighting for change comes great things. People feel better if we treat them well or do one small thing to brighten their day, simple things like leaving a note inside a child’s or husband’s lunch box telling them they are special, or smiling at…
The act of one person with dementia has become the act of many around the world, now causing such a united ripple effect for change there should be no going back. Of course, there will always be the case of two steps forward, and one backwards occasionally, but as there are now so many people without dementia…
The only way is up A room full of hearts opened wide with hope Holding hands supporting each other Feeling less alone Sharing struggles and stepping stones Wondering if fading capacities will matter Finding new ways What we can’t to alone we can to together The road ahead a new one in Australia See you at…
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