Faith United Against Alzheimer's

How encouraging to see the Faith Community begin to go public on the Alzheimer's threat.

Using the search mechanism of your internet browser enter:
Faith United Against Alzheimer's. You will find several web sites related to this resource. There will be a description of this new venture and an invitation to join in. I have joined in order to add to the rising tide of concerned people.

I have no illusion that this venture by itself will make amazing progress possible. What it can do is bring more people into the public discussion. 

Being involved as a recovering Care Giver I have learned to be skeptical of brave promises. What I and many others do believe is that public awareness can draw in resources for research and more public attention to this world wide challenge to the human family.

Thank you for your participation.

Delton

Murder in Broad Daylight and Darkest Night

Every instance of Alzheimer's Memory Loss is a murder. A brain disorder gradually kills the unique personality of a human being before destroying the body itself. 

For the surviving Care Giver news of murder, especially mass murder, brings back the tragic taking of the Beloved.

Yesterday in Charlestown, SC one young racist murdered nine people at a Christian Prayer meeting. I cannot escape from the profound emotional impact of what family and friends are knowing. And I join with them in this grief. It was a senseless act. It was truly Evil. 

Little wonder that Care Givers are acquainted with tears and the inner emptiness that accompanies a broken heart.

This is not a whining complaint. No, it is a blunt statement of fact. We have to communicate with each other regarding this sombre situation. Others will not understand. I personally reject the option of taking meds to dull myself to reality. The deep hurt strikes me as a healthy personal response to a rampant expression of evil. 

A society has an obligation to respond to racist violence. Whether society has the will to respond to Memory Loss is still unresolved. 

As for me, I will express a response that is highly personal but not a singular lonely experience. 

Delton















 

Memory Loss and "The Tempest" by Shakespeare

When watching a Shakespeare play a person usually goes to be exposed to some classic entertainment. The genius of Shakespeare is that he taps into the deepest elements of human personality and describes the forces of Nature that determine human actions over centuries. 

The Tempest gathers force much as a storm at sea develops and then humans that happen to be in the path of the storm are entwined in the drama. In this drama the internal storms within in the lives of persons are displayed. The literary creation of spirit forces enables characters to control and be controlled as part of the story line.

In reading The Tempest aloud in the evening on a patio I was given the opportunity to become immersed in this drama. Little did I realize that The Tempest is being played out for multitudes of people who know the drama of Memory Loss, especially Alzheimer's Syndrome. That includes me and our family.

The forces of Nature encompass us since we are Natural Creatures. Perhaps we are spiritual beings but it is clear that Nature determines the limits and glories of us people. Memory Loss is itself a Tempest. People die. Limits are placed on the lives of family and friends who accompany the one who is being swept away. 

Shakespeare creates characters with names and personalities. We try but usually fail to name the process of Memory Loss as it encompasses our life experience. The drama of the frustration and violence that accompanies the experience is beyond our controls. There is no entertainment involved with Memory Loss. Attempts are made to put a happy face on this malady but such efforts are doomed to failure. Religion promises some ultimate hopes but is of precious little assistance in the here and now. 

At this stage of dealing with the aftermath of Joan's experience and death I am awed by the forces of Nature that do control what happens. Optimism over human powers of fixing the problem is soon diluted in the acids of daily survival. 

When reading The Tempest keep the framework of Memory Loss in mind and do your own interpretation of what rises to the surface. 

Delton