Finding the Positive

Although Alzheimer's is a devastating disease, as with in anything life, one can choose to look at the positive rather than focusing on the negative.

I started to notice a change in my Grama a few years ago when I was on maternity leave.

My Grama has never been the typical apron wearing, cookie baking Grama, but she's my Grama nonetheless.

She was so excited that I was having a baby, I made a point to visit more often after I had my son. He was a little doll to her and she loved to hold him.

On my visits I started to notice knick knacks in different spots or not there at all, every time I came. Then one time I was sitting on her floor with my son, she was sitting in her big lazy boy chair and with a puzzled look she said "who are you to me again?". I tried to laugh it off and replied in way that would be comforting to her. In that moment I knew.

I work for a healthcare agency where I started off as a home care Personal Support Worker, so I am well acquainted with Alzheimer's. If you have even a little knowledge of the disease you know the devastation it causes not only for the individual, but also for those closest to them.

There have been many more incidents over the years, of which I'm not going to go into detail about. Grama is now at a point where she can no longer safely stay at home.

You might be wondering, what is there possibly to be thankful about in all of this?

Well, first of all I feel with my knowledge and experience in healthcare I've been able to help my family understand the disease and its progression a little better. I know I have been an advocate in ensuring my Grama is well taken care of. I'm thankful that even with the heaviness of this disease there are light moments. My Grama still recognizes us for the time being. She's still so excited when she gets to see my son Liam and she genuinely loves him so much.

I'm thankful that I am making the most of whatever time she has left.

I know this picture is blurry, but to me it is representative of what happens to the mind with Alzheimer's disease. In the blur you can still see the love.