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Joined: 11/30/2011
Posts: 3562
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But I was just wondering if you feel anything good came from having
it?
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Joined: 3/15/2018
Posts: 614
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Hey, Michael! I can definitely say that it has caused us to appreciate life and family far more. Our hearts are more focused on gratitude and and what we value in life.
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Joined: 1/13/2017
Posts: 58
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Michael, I hate this disease and it is hard to find good when your LO is trying to find his way.
We have had funny moments and it has brought us closer. I want the man I married back but God has another plan.
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Joined: 2/2/2014
Posts: 6144
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There has been absolutely no upside whatever for us. DW worked very hard her entire brilliant career. We had carefully saved for retirement. 2012 was our planned retirement date for her That was the year she got the EOAD diagnosis. She was 60. She never got to enjoy her grandchildren. Am I bitter YES even after all these years.
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Joined: 11/16/2018
Posts: 134
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Lol, did anything good come from Alzheimer's? It has stolen my life, my DW's life, caused all but one friend to disappear, removed any semblance of a normal life, it destroyed any chance of a hard earned retirement, I don't do anything for myself anymore, and on and on. It will kill my DW if something else doesn't. Caring for her may kill me first.
Right now, I don't feel that anything good has come from this. Maybe I'm "blind" to anything good that comes from this hell. I just don't see it.
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Joined: 9/5/2017
Posts: 744
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I haven't found anything good about this disease. It's a nightmare of all nightmares.
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Joined: 4/2/2018
Posts: 3817
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Tomorrow we will be married 63 years. This disease has brought us closer than ever. I appreciate the small things more. I found out just how strong my love is for my wife. And I found out that our family is stronger than I ever imagined.
Yes, this disease is ripping our lives apart. But that wasn't the question.
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Joined: 11/30/2011
Posts: 3562
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This is some of the good that came from it for me.
- I got the opportunity
to travel so much sooner then I ever thought I would and made so many memorable
memories for my wife and I that she talks about all the time. It real made
her happy.
- I have gotten
to meet the best minds in the world related to dementia
- I have been a
pioneer and will leave a lasting impression for what I have done for this
disease and others.
- I was given
the opportunity to come to the rescue of so many and help them just a little
on how to deal with this disease
- I created an
army of dementia advocates all over the world including Africa where I
have contributed to saving lives
- I have broken
so many records that I am even surprised that I was able to do all this.
- If it was not
for my dementia I would have never had that great boat and still cannot believe
it was ever mine.
- Now we are near
to building our dream home and don’t think this would ever have happened
and will leave my wife very happy if I should go. And of course she is
retire early to be with me.
- I am spending
more money than I would have because I am no longer in control of it
- I am more
patient to others in need or who struggle with mental issues.
- I was able to
do a bucket list and still be around - Ran out of things to do
- I accomplished
the most exciting thing in my life by spending two day in Geneva with all
of the ambassadors of the world at the first dementia conference at WHO. I
had my own seat and mic and tread like royalty like the others - Does not
get any better than that and not sure I can ever top that one
- I have stared
so many dementia programs all over the world that are now running on the own
- I have gotten
many world leaders to take action for the cause and to contribute millions
and millions of dollars.
- I fought
against many organizations and governments to change laws
- It made me appreciate
life and what I have
- Most thankful
that I met George Vradenburg from USAgainstAlzheimer’s and so other great
people who do so much for this cause with out any reason to get something
in return
There are probably a lot more but I think you get the point.
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Joined: 2/1/2018
Posts: 606
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Today is our youngest granddaughter's 6th birthday. She has never known her "pop" without Alzheimers. We live on our daughter's property and see "Allie" every day. She is a rough and tumble, typical 6 year old, youngest of three. But she has the most uncanny empathy and a loving, caring nature that astounds me. She races down here every morning to "fix" pop's breakfast before school, she feeds him cookies and candy, ("don't bite my finger, pop"), she loves to "lax" on the sofa and read to pop, she brushes his hair and leads him from point A to point B with care. She is discouraged that he is unable to understand what she tells him and was absolutely blown away the other day when she asked, "Do you love me, Pop" Yes. "Am I your best friend, Pop?" Yes. There are some hidden gems in this disease. I told my daughter last evening that I was going to start paying Allie as a caregiver.
Michael, you, too are a hidden gem! Thank you for all you do.
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Joined: 7/21/2020
Posts: 29
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Perspective, appreciation, a sense of purpose in caring for another.
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Joined: 4/2/2018
Posts: 3817
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Lynn, that little 6 year old is a keeper. It wouldn't surprise me if she didn't have a career related to this disease. You are a lucky grandmother.
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Joined: 11/30/2011
Posts: 3562
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For those of you who could not find some good in it I am really
sorry. It may not always easy to see but I do hope this makes you think about
it and just maybe some will come your way. I have always learned in life that no matter
how bad things are some good always come out of that bad. It may just be on how
we think about it.
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