A few weeks ago I contemplated starting a new blog which I would have called “Who’s in There?” It is a question I ask Peg frequently, usually in the mornings just after she wakes up. I press my forehead against hers, look directly into her eyes and ask, who’s in there? Her responses vary, sometimes it is “me” others times it is “I don’t know”, and sometimes it is “you”. There are days when she stares off into space and looks totally absorbed in her thoughts. I ask her “where are you?” It breaks her stare, and she’ll tell me she was watching a bird or a squirrel in the yard.
My new blog would be specific to living with someone who has dementia. I believe that writing about a personal problem is cathartic. I posted a piece once on Grumpa Joe’s Place, and received some caustic feedback from close family members who believed I was demeaning my wife. Let’s face it folks, some of the stuff that happens is funny. Most times it is not funny but sad.
The new blog was intended to be more private. I would have opened it on another blog platform and my name would have been totally anonymous.
One objective I have when I write posts is to teach something by using my personal experience. In my career, I was told many times that I was a good teacher. I retired early to give myself time to be able to find a real teaching job. Unfortunately, my wife Barbara had the heart attack, and my teaching goal turned into that of caretaker. Instead, I began Grumpa Joe’s Place with the objective of teaching by using my personal experience to write about issues and problems. To keep the blog interesting I spice it up with my personal pursuits like gardening, flower photography, travel, and woodworking. Lately, I have resorted to using posts from other bloggers whose posts I like.
My final decision is to not begin a separate blog to write about dementia but to teach about dementia on Grumpa Joe’s Place with occasional posts.
Filed under: Biography, Education, family, health care, Seniors | Tagged: Alzheimers, Brain Disease, Dementia |
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