MELTING ICE
A couple of weeks ago I had an opportunity to attend a wonderful Alzheimer's
presentation at mom's former nursing home.
It was presented by Michigan Public Health Institute Center for Long Term Care and it was
entitled, "Understanding the Person With Alzheimer's Disease."
I found it to be a wonderful yet heartwrenching program, and I was saddened to learn that it will
no longer be offered to the public due to our state budget cuts.
As I sat there listening to the speaker and watching the video, tears rolled down
my face. There were moments when I found myself wanting to get up and run out of the room
because what I was SEEING and HEARING was almost too unbearable.
I had to ask myself just WHY this presentation was so terribly painful for me. Was
it because what I was hearing and seeing was so utterly sad? Or was it because I realized for
the first time that my mother had been affected by the ravages of this monster long before I ever
became aware that something was terribly wrong? I had to answer yes to both those questions.
My heart ached inside as I heard people of all ages (one woman was only 44)
describe just WHAT it feels like to know that you are losing your mind. They were able to put
into words what my beloved mother was unable to describe to me. These brave souls made mommy's
"monsters" truly come to life.
What stood out most about the video was several of the comments that people had
made. They tried ever so bravely to tell the world just how they felt and how they longed to be
treated by their loved ones.
I shall forever remember the words they said:
"I feel like I really don't belong any place."
"I hate to be a person without a memory."
"Your life is going in reverse."
"I want to be treated like somebody and not like a loaf of bread."
The most chilling statement was the following...
"I feel like a piece of ice melting."
The speaker stated that the best way she could describe the fears of someone who is
affected by Alzheimers was to compare it to someone waking up every morning in a foreign country.
No wonder on that fateful morning my mother walked into my bedroom terrified because she no
longer knew how to get back into her bed....
Many thanks to "Michigan Public Health Institute Center For Long Term Care" for this
wonderful presentation.
They can be contacted at the following address:
2438 Woodlake Circle
Suite 200
Okemos, MI 48864
(Phone) 517-324-7340
Also many thanks to the wonderful video presentation entitled,"Alzheimer's Disease: Inside
Looking Out."
Terra Nova Films, Inc., Chicago, IL
(Phone) 800-779-8491
Phenomenal Women Of The
WebŪ
 
11 November 2002.
The painting used in this set is called
"Make A Wish" by Mary Baxter
St Clair©.
Used with permission:
All background graphics on this page are © of Lil Kitty, 2001-2002.
The midi playing is called "I Can't Say." It is used with permission. The performer, arranger
and
composer is Yuko Ogashimi. Copyright 1996-2003.
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