Thursday 12 April 2012

L is for Love


A trip to Portugal 2008, mum decides to show everyone how it's done!

I have grown to accept the changes that happened and will continue to happen in regards to my mothers health.  Before I understood how dementia affected the brain I thought mum was doing things on purpose –  moving and mislaying things, or saying insensitive things to hurt.  I realised that her love for me had not changed and neither should mine for her.  You can’t see the dementia but only experience the effects of the illness and so it's harder to come to terms with the person that you love changing.  You have to learn to put all that aside.

I feel the child in me wanting to be loved in the way mum used to express it, with hugs and caring words, or a soothing song at bedtime.  We have to now embrace the children we are inside remember to nurture the hurt we feel at the loss of those we love.



Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.

10 comments :

  1. Very heartwarming thoughts, Amanda....

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  2. This such an authentic post. Thanks for being so open.

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  3. Wow. Such an honest post about love and the struggles to love. I'm glad that you can still love your mom through this. :)

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  4. We are at the start of a difficult journey, having found my brother has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.

    Thanks for your inspirational post - it helps to think that it is not all doom and gloom before us!

    Thanks, also, for dropping by my blog earlier! ;-) Happy A-Z'ing!

    SueH I refuse to go quietly!

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  5. Danneromero, thank you for stopping by.

    Jaime, thank you.

    Krista, where would we be without love.

    Sue, what ever you can do to prepare and put in place for the way you should do as it can delay the progression.

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  6. Lovely post, Amanda. A testament to your wonderful mother :) my heart aches for what you are going through.

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  7. Hi, Amanda! Love the heart and beauty in your blog. Thanks for visiting and following mine - don't know if you were able to see my reply, but there is a beautiful blog written by a friend of mine called www.yournameisjack.blogspot.com about dealing with her father's Alzheimer's. I'm sure you could relate to it. I am touched by your wisdom and grace. Carry on!

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  8. Hi Amanda .. it's a crazy world we live in .. and at least you understand and appreciate - so few don't .. then those who suffer, really struggle being the carer ...

    Seems you have some lovely blogging friends here - a great resource for us all .. cheers Hilary

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  9. Catherine, she is great...I am getting to see a totally new side to her.

    Elaine, thanks for leaving the link, will definitely have a look.

    Hilary it has been great to be able to connect with so many inspiring people.

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  10. I'm feeling so moved as I read these posts, one by one. Thank you for your wisdom and compassion.

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