Here is a reality check for you. Say you are sitting with 2 of your friends having lunch. One of you will get dementia. Those the current statistics. MIND BLOWN. boom.

Just wanted to make that clear before we move on.

My days can be somewhat crazy; not always, but when they are…..( insert handsome 60 something guy holding a beer here meme hahah).

Here is an example of one of those days:

Woke up, went pee. Made coffee , started writing. When I was hungry ( dosent happen that often) I went to make a sandwich. I wanted green onions in it so I grabbed scissors to cut the onions, next thing I knew I was cutting foam with those same scissors to insulate around my door, no idea how I got from one task to another.  No sandwich was made. Went back to the kitchen. There was the partially completed sandwich sitting on the counter.  I just starred at it.  So I washed my face then made my bed. Got dressed and popped over to the store. Came home and noticed the sandwich. I made soup from scratch instead and ate that.

I know, I know; those of you who do not have this are saying, ” shit! That’s my everyday!”. Believe me , it’s not.

There is an underlying knowledge each and every moment that what is happening is not right, but not being able to understand what it is.

I can attest to that at this stage in my progression.  It’s an eerie feeling.

There is no segue left in my routine anymore. No fluid movement completing tasks, only strange ways of ending up doing many things randomly.  It’s funny and scary at the same  time.

Don’t get me wrong, tasks are completed, but not in the same way as I would normally or previously have been done.

I am absolutely not complaining, it really makes me giggle!  Telling my daughter these things, ha! She always says, ” Mum, what ever works !” and we have a good laugh.

In the media, Alzheimer’s is viewed as a person of significant age, in a chair, perhaps sleeping all day, a person who can’t remember who you are. But there is so much more.

I live independently, I am a photographer, a chef, a professional, an artist.

When I posted on FB I had this disease, I realized just how uncomfortable it made people feel.  In the big picture, all disease make people uncomfortable.  Homelessness makes people look at those struggling in their lives as sub-human. Makes me sad. The stigma.

It’s often been said that if you believe all the media says……..   It’s true for Alzheimer’s too.

Those of us living healthy and full lives are living proof that airbrushed news reports exist. Not one news story about just how strong and powerful our lives are. I am hoping to change that, so are the many people who I now know living with all types of dementia.

Short term memory, yup, it’s an issue. Sometimes I don’t know what a did 2 minutes ago, retrace, retrace. BLANK. So what?  Lol. Someone had referred to it once as calling it “a champagne moment”.  Picture opening a bottle of bubbly, the rush of it leaving the bottle flying into the air. Gone. Those ounces  never to be enjoyed. Poof!

Physical symptoms too can be debilitating, I’ve had to use crutches in occasion just to take a walk. A big thank you to my son in law right here, love you xo.

What I’m getting at is, living with dementia is a combination of so many things, including task orientation (and it can be daunting.) Knowing you want to do something, but your body just says NOPE.  Days later….. easy as pie!

The men and women that I have met over the course of the last few months are strong, intellectual powerful human beings. Scientists, Drs,  IT professionals, Designers, Bakers, Chefs, Mother’s, Father’s, CEO’s.

Each person experiences this disease in many forms.  There is medically no two people who experience this the same. Some of the symptoms can be the similar, some are completely different.  Drs can’t track who, or how .  It’s so multifaceted. This to me, is an evolution of the brain. Fascinating.

Let me define that.  The ability for the human brain to develop skills ( copying skill, new life skills, planning skills etc and LEARNING those skills) for the mirraud of symptoms is absolutely amazing. 

Amazingly, none of us knew our brains were rewiring our abilities, not until we were diagnosed. Then comes the lightbulb.

Don’t just think of this disease in the end stages.  There are millions of us living happy and successful lives, coping with shit you can’t ever imagine.  WE ARE WARRIORS.

For those of us championing our days, I cheer you on!  For those who are broken today, my arms are hugging you.  I know you have my back too!

Segue….. squirrel moment ……. Right here.

Vanilla ice cream and canned peaches is my favorite dessert.  ( Besides apple pie in which case I can eat a 1kg pie no problem @ my weight of 128 lbs,  just sayin’). I love the way the syrup from the peaches freezes on the ice cream.  You should try it.

Another little thing you need to know, even in the latest stages,  is that human consciousnesses ( scientifically proven to be separated from the body, growing evidence shows that the mind goes far beyond the physical workings of your brain. look it up people) is still alive. We are still here. Talk to your loved ones. Be aware and intuitive.

For all those traveling with me on this road, Fill your hearts with love for yourself. Forgive yourself for all the “things”.  Add little trinkets to your home to keep you remembering.  Wear make-up!  Get you nails done and your hair ‘did!  Listen to great music and dance so everyone knows you are here.  Find love and live fully.

Hail to the WARRIORS!

Stay well my friends, Jan