Her Memory Matters
Her Memory Matters…..
Imagine watching a loved one slowly loose pieces of their memory and identity. This is the reality of Alzheimer’s.
“The greatest gift you can give is your presence. Never underestimate the power of simply being there.”
MY STORY…….
Hello, my name is Trudy. Joanne is my mother. I created this website as a tribute to her. For 7 years, I witnessed my mother’s vulnerability with Alzheimer’s. I rejoiced in the fragility of time which made every shared moment more precious and gave me gratitude for the time we had together.
It has taken me 2 1/2 years to put together all the information that I am sharing with anyone who might need it. I hope my story can motivate others to share their experiences, seek help or become advocates and overcome the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s disease. I also hope that my insights can offer comfort and practical advice to others navigating similar paths and help you feel less isolated and more equipped to handle challenges.
“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” Tia Walker
Read an excerpt here ..
ME:
Joanne is my mother and her life and death inspired me to write this booklet. My mother was my rock, my inspiration, my cheerleader, and my best friend. Although my mother is no longer on Earth, she is indeed inspiring me to share this journey with others who may be starting down this road. It’s important to note that this road is long; many times, gently curving around small obstacles while at other times climbing the steeper slopes of healthcare or lack thereof for the Alzheimer's patient.
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MOM:
The doctor told me it’s Alzheimer’s Disease. For seven years, time had no significance or purpose. I vividly remember my own mother dying from this same fate. In fact, I never wanted to visit her because she was in that “place”. To be honest I was scared and I didn’t understand anything about her or the facility she was in. Don’t think there is a magic medication or a pharmaceutical trial that you can be in or that you will heal in time; none of it is true. You will die. I tried to outrun the inevitable. Simply put, Alzheimer’s Disease is a death sentence.
I bought vitamins and memory supplements, I read magazines and bought books and listened to anything that I could to prevent my fate. I ate healthy; I exercised. I had my yearly physical and eye exams. I grew and canned my own food as my parents and their parents had done before them. I thought that I had lived a clean and healthy life. Would I be able to escape my fate? Honestly, what else could I do? I made my children promise me over and over again that they would never put me in that “place”. No way was I going to do paper-crafts, color or play that dreadful Bingo game; let alone mingle with strangers and then that thought disappeared.
WHY THE BUTTERFLY?
The butterfly is often used as a metaphor in relation to Alzheimer’s disease to symbolize transformation, fragility and the delicate nature of the human mind. An Alzheimer’s patient undergoes significant changes and transformations such as memory, behavior and personality just as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.
Butterflies are delicate creatures much like the human brain which can be easily affected by Alzheimer’s. This disease damages the brain cells leading to the deterioration of cognitive functions.
Butterflies are a symbol of hope and new beginning such as a possible cure for the Alzheimer’s patient.
Butterflies are beautiful creatures and their presence is often seen as a sign of good luck.