[Z]

Not the cheeriest of subjects, but I wanted to share the small bit of happiness in a sad story from my weekend...

I was a groomsman at my friend's wedding this weekend and his poor mum has quite advanced dementia now... she was more or less oblivious to her surroundings, a few times I saw her looking like she was going to cry because she was confused, it was very hard to see... but during the groom's speech, he made a reference to his parents going on their honeymoon to a caravan with their dog and his granny in tow, and she started talking to the person next to her about it, she remembered the dog's name. It was magic! Although, she had to be shushed because her son was speaking

Later on, she was up dancing with her son and had a big smile on her face and I think she knew she was dancing with him on his wedding day, there's something about music that seems to be able to cut through the fog, I had a little cry in another room with one of the other groomsmen for a few minutes and then we went back in and had a great time with a vengeance.

It's a really horrible illness... I hope the inroads they seem to be making into finding ways to tackle it keep advancing so that it becomes a problem of the past, it's just cruel how it robs people of their entire self.

Have you had experiences with loved ones suffering from dementia? Is there anything anyone could have done for you to have helped?

[Ammi]

..yeah, my mum had Alzheimer’s for many years before she died and had no awareness of anyone in her life…it’s just the cruelest thing to think that someone has no memories when memories for me are a huge part of the meaning of it all for me…

…that’s a beautiful story, Zee…and I’m so glad that you shared it….…and dancing with her son as well, how much that would have meant to him…I mean, even just the tiniest of memory, the tiniest glimpse or spark of any awareness that you see…?…the emotion that brings is just…everything….

[Ninastar]

This is one of my biggest fears. Someone I love to slowly lose their mind and forget who their loved ones are? Can’t even imagine it

[Mystic Mock]

I have a family member that is currently suffering with Dementia.

Honestly along with Cancer and a few other things in this world that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.