THERE IS SOME JOY THAT COMES WITH DEMENTIA

It is only because I am a dementia sufferer myself that I am able to post a title like the one above.
There are many downsides to dementia, the possibility that it's actually Alzheimer's, memory loss, diminishing cognitive abilities and so on. However, I know that I am not alone in thinking that experiencing dementia does focus the mind on the things that really matter. Not just living each day as if it were the last, but also treasuring each day and valuing every experience.There is a new and deeper spirituality that develops and a greater and deeper intuition.
My own dementia has been with me for over ten years, but I am still in the early stages and so I juggle my memory and cognitive difficulties and I get by very comfortably. It may be different in the later stages of dementia, but I find that currently I have been able to reflect extensively on my life, both past and present.Although, like other dementia sufferers the mist descends sometimes and I get the odd blank spot and have to focus on where and who I am, mostly I can think clearly and reflect on many things still retained in my long term memory. Although it is amazing what the mind drags up from the past, it is also surprising at the odd things that one forgets, but should remember, like the name of an old and treasured friend etc.
It may be different for others, but I have come to realize just how blessed my life has been and my gratitude and joy grow ever stronger.
Although the progression of my dementia is very, very slow, it is still taking place, but I rather take the view that if I slow it down enough, the horrible final stages of Alzheimer's will be avoided, because I will have 'outlived them'. If you see what I mean.
My most noticeable bit of nonsense this week was that sadly we had to go to a funeral and so I ut on my rarely usedsmart dark Saville Row suit, black tie and beautifully polished black shoes. It wasn't until we were sitting in the three hour service that I noticed that instead of two black socks, one was red. I hastily shuffled the offending foot underneath the seat, but the movement caught my wife Julian's attention. She said nothing, not even in whisper, but her raised left eyebrow was sufficient to register her amused shock.
Apart from this incident there was little new in deterioration terms, I always forget where I park the car, but I have solved that one by always carrying a compass and drawing a map.
Julian and I do discuss my condition quite regularly and it is interesting how I am often not aware of my cognitive setbacks, but she as my caregiver is very conscious. Last night she said that she had noticed a slight deterioration in my ability to debate. This doesn't mean that we hold debating societies for dementia and Alzheimer victims. Her meaning was that I am finding it slightly more difficult to explain my case if we are discussing different views on books, politics, religion or even our taste in music. I was not aware of this until she had told me and I had reflected. The extra difficulty is only slight, but she is right it has happened.
For dementia and Alzheimer sufferers it's a long road, both figuratively and in time terms. As the whole process can take as long as thirty years, it can be a very slow process, but that is to our benefit because every day can be enjoyed fully, with the knowledge that with luck, positive thinking, and a sensible life plan for physical and mental health, the deterioration can be as little as a drip a day. Not worth worrying about if you have a big enough bucket!
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Afric.