From Lisa Snyder's Living Your Best with Early-Stage Alzheimer's:
"Changes in functional or thinking abilities can lead some to feel left out of mainstream life. When diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Les Dennis described this experience as "marginalization," a feeling of being on the margins of life. He writes:
I began to understand the concept of marginalization and its relationship to Alzheimer's. Simply put, get up and do what you can or you will fade. As I tried this out with myself, then my children, it seemed to work. You remain someone.
"Although he may find it more challenging to be the person he has always been, Les has made an important decision to not give in to stigma of feelings of diminishment and is determined to stay engaged in life.
"As public awareness about Alzheimer's grows, there is greater understanding about this disability. Education greatly reduces stigma, and more people with Alzheimer's are taking part in those efforts to increase awareness and reduce marginalization."
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What a difference between friends who see loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer's as less than what they've always been -and- those who experience them as the people they've always been.
What a difference for those people whose families immediately marginalize them as soon as they hear the diagnosis -and- those who realize the truth of Len Dennis' words - do what you can or you will fade - and set out to maximize rather than diminish expectations & opportunities.
Yes, there will be challenges. Meeting them on every front will bring unimaginable rewards. And doing the opposite - marginalizing, stigmatizing - will bring unimaginable sorrow.
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