Was stunned to read the following line in an Amazon reader review of Jonathan Kozol's, The Theft of Memory - - "One wonders if those with Alzheimer's disease want their children to be telling the story of their descent into uselessness."
Uselessness? We don't know what Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia are all about, far more clueless than we want to let on. But one thing I absolutely know is that we are all, every last one of us, useful to the very end of our days.
To the person diagnosed with Alzheimer's falls the far greater burden of that ignorance. We don't know why they go through the variation of stages that typically mark the wretched progression, but I know that they are called to show more courage in facing each than I can imagine. They need to fight to be the best possible self they can muster within each moment. And to feel loved respected honored for who they are at their inviolate core.
The Theft of Memory - like Being Mortal, Slow Dancing With A Stranger, I'm Still Here - is a book we all, individually & communally, should read, young old ancient.
Form your own opinion. Personally, we are so unaware of what is actually happening let alone way, I choose to brush aside labels like descending, elevated or whatever & cross out thoughts of
Wherever we are, whoever we are, let's make, let's do all we can to help others make, the most of whatever is NOW.
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