Reaching Out

May 21, 2008

Reaching Out

(Source: Houston Chronicle) - [Not too long ago I walked into a

workshop at an Alzheimer's conference. I was late and there was only

one seat available - in the very back of the room. I sat down,

startling the gentleman next to me. I apologized, noticing a small

stack of business cards next to his note pad. The card read, "

. " I instantly recognized the name and was soon listening to

him speak - enlightening, enriching and providing a depth of wisdom

that no other speaker at the conference offered. Afterwards,

seemed surprised at the applause and comments from the audience.]

was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. Today he

continues to speak for others with the disease, letting them know

that there's still life after and Alzheimer's diagnosis.

He describes his view of the world as sometimes good, sometimes

cloudy - like looking through his grandmother's knotted lace

curtains. At times, he sees clearly through the holes, at others his

vision seems blocked by the knots.

Life is tough. He is haunted by a vision of his future, starring a

not-so-old man - mute, in a diaper, slumped over in his wheelchair.

Yet for the present, has goals, things to do, places to go. He

frequently speaks to audiences of professionals, caregivers and

patients. He is the author of " Alzheimer's: From the Inside Out, " and

dreams of traveling to exotic places.

explains, " Alzheimer's is sometimes described as the 'long

goodbye.' That's wrong, too, " he says. " People with dementia wake up

every morning and say 'hello;' they don't say 'goodbye.' Yet,

everybody in the room is saying 'goodbye' to us. That just reinforces

that sense of loneliness and separation, and it makes it harder for

caregivers to love whom they previously loved. They say, 'That's not

my husband anymore,' or 'That's not my dad. He's gone.' "

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