Thoughts on Dementia and Living Differently

I recently listened to a CD, Thoughts on...Dementia/Alzheimer's - Living Differently. The CD features 84-year-old Lorna LeBrun and her dementia, frontal lobe dementia, Louise LeBrun, Lorna LeBrundaughter Louise LeBrun as they discuss their lives.  Louise's Dad and Lorna's husband, Buddy has been in a locked ward of the Veterans home for the last seven years due to frontal lobe dementia and they share how his condition has effected their lives.

As Louise introduces her Mom I could feel the love and respect that she holds in her heart for her.  As she continued her introduction, I knew that I was going to be given the gift of an inspiring glimpse into their lives. The CD shares Lorna's rich journey of respect, family unity and the power that those provide one in any situation or challenge.  Lorna is living proof that no matter where the journey takes you, there is great power in being ready for the adventure of a new beginning.

Lorna and Louise quickly had my rapt attention as Lorna explained that at 63, Buddy began noticing his condition.  They offer us a look into the last seven years and the journey their family has been on while living with a loved one who has frontal lobe dementia.

Louise shares that while her Dad was losing his footing, her Mom continued to find her own footing and did not let the situation cause her to stop living. They share their moving story of companionship, family and how their support and love has held them up and kept them in the game of life despite the odds and without suffocating one another.

In the CD, Louise encourages Lorna to share how she has remained vibrant and whole and what the experiences have been like for her and her Dad.  While listening to them both speak, I was privileged to hear and understand the perspective they have each brought to their journey.  They each have a wonderful sense of humor, a love for life, and have learned to accept the path that they are on.

They share that there is no one way to live life or face its challenges, but I felt I was sitting with them over tea in their sunroom and that they were encouraging me to find the path that works best for me. Lorna and Louise have shared their story with the hopes that they will inspire others to find what works best for your journey as well.

I hope you will take the time to listen. Listening to Lorna's story has made a difference in my caregiving  journey and I know it will in yours.

Visit here at Wel-Systems.com to listen to an excerpt.

--Mary Nix


2 Responses

  1. Hi Mary, Thank you so much for sharing this CD with your readers. My mother and I had contemplated this conversation for some time before mindfully choosing to create what you've heard on the CD. Over several years, I've had the opportunity to witness my parent's shared journey as well as that of so many others walking a similar path. As we would spend time at the Veteran's residence where my Dad lives, I would see spouses and children lost to the experience of their loved one's dementia, sometimes coping my choosing to be absent from someone they loved in an effort to 'save' themselves. I was always mindful of how different my mother looked; how vibrant and playful she remained; and how willing she had become to trust that in her ongoing wellbeing and commitment to herself would be found the courage and the strength for her to stay present to my ever-disappearing father. Although my Dad is not the man he once was, he is nonetheless still the man who remains a constant part of our shared experience. Over time, my mother has let go of lamenting what was and has found a variety of ways to not only accept but thrive on what it has become. No doubt, there is sadness and pain - and they are fleeting! In the greater scheme of things, Lorna has both her husband and her life - differently. We (my Mom and I) are greatly appreciative of your having shared our conversation with others. If it makes it possible for one person to reawaken their commitment to their own life, it will have been what we had hoped. Your work is important, Thank you for allowing our voices to be added to your own. Warmest wishes, Louise LeBrun
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