I HAVE HAD DEMENTIA FOR 20 YEARS

The beginning of my recognition short term memory loss goes back 29 years to when I was 43 The first incident that prompted me to visit my doctor was when I parked my car in Tesco's supermarket and could',t find it. Later, it was discovered in a Spar car park, where in fact I had parked it. I never did work out how I got from one supermarket to another!
The doctor tested me for dementia and I passed with flying colours. He re-assured me and explained that memory deterioration was common from middle age and nothing to worry about.
Had I known then that a healthy lifestyle of body, mind and spirit was beneficial to the brain as well as the heart, perhaps I would have changed my lifestyle. However, I continued to drink rather too much and smoke cigars.The result of the poor lifestyle and perhaps also an inherited pre disposition towards dementia was that my memory continued very slowly to get worse. Like the drip of water on stone, the erosion of my brain was very, very slow and it wasn't until many years later when I began to have blank spots that I was diagnosed with dementia.
When one is told that one has dementia it is a bit like a slap in the face and I felt a sense of unbelief and dread for what was to come. Research on the internet did not re-assure me and in fact I was plunged into gloom. The first worrying thing that I discovered was that dementia is not in fact a disease in itself, but rather the symptom of something worse and that there is an 80%, terrifying possibility that the underlying disease. The other possibilities are equally as bad. The only gleam of hope for someone diagnosed with dementia is that it might be a vitamin deficiency or a thyroid problem.In my case, neither of these applied.
My wife Julian was very supportive and I quickly determined to fight the dementia and we both began massive research. There is no known cure for dementia or Alzheimer's, but we discovered that good health was one way of slowing it down. A change of lifestyle has helped and we made some significant discoveries.
The result is that my dementia has been arrested. One can't put back the clock. The damage done to the brain remains, but with organization and a positive attitude my life goes comfortably on.
The message for others, perhaps recently diagnosed with dementia is that it really is possible to life a normal life. In my own case, when I considered things I realised that I had had dementia for almost thirty years and yet during that time I had run a successful business and in recent times written three books. How blessed I have been. My very being is filled with gratitude! So don't lose hope.


Here in Paarl, despite being in Autumn, the weather has turned hot again and yesterday, both here and in Cape Town it was over 30%. Perfect weather.
Boysie the Jack Russell and his sister Polly are thirteen years old. They should live for another four or five years, but dog lovers will understand the slight worry.
The birds are well, but Bobby the parrot is still not saying many words. Still he's great fun with his whistling etc.
Keep taking the tablets.
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa.
barnatod@blogspot.com