Dear Readers… You’re probably here because your home has also been visited by this sneaky thief of a disease. I see you and I commiserate with what you’re going through. I understand the anxiety and grief. Or maybe you’re here for some other reason after having had your life touched by dementia of one form or another. In either situation, I hope we can help you.
I’m Heather’s husband John and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences both for personal therapy and also in case it might help those of you who are following the same path. We started dating in 1978 have been inseparable ever since… it’s a very deep well to draw from. Please join us in this journey and please share your comments or reach out to me.
The reason we were able to put this site together is that I started keeping notes when I first started to fear that something was wrong with my hunny, so it’s all available now almost three years later to refresh my memory. I had the feeling it would be important, it was clear something serious was going on.
Heather was always so very much on top of everything, from caring for our adult children through the most tender and skilled parenting, to keeping lists of the everyday things and even our five-ten-twenty year goals. She retired in 2016 after a 30 year career as a respiratory therapist at the local children’s hospital and worked in a psychology lab for a few years prior.
She knew where everything was and had systems in place to make life easy and lived with great joy and satisfaction. She was a great partner and is the love of my life. There was no life challenge that she didn’t face with a positive outlook and a plan to deal with whatever we faced. In addition to my notes, I have a big collection of photos and videos that I’ll pull from and share here to illustrate things. Sharing has always helped me, and maybe it will help you too.
Hello John and Heather,
I have just come across your story, and have not yet read most of it. But I will. I just had to say how astonished and touched I am by your generosity in sharing your experiences and insights into what must be, at times, an agonizing journey. Because this is very much needed, both for people going through a similar experience, and for those who don’t yet know it firsthand. Knowledge is power, and spreading your knowledge of the dementia experience can only help the rest of the world to be more empathetic towards those who must endure it. My mother had dementia, so I do understand to some degree what you and Heather, and everyone who cares about you, are going through. Keep up the good work, and bless all your hearts. Thank you sincerely.
Hello John and Heather, I am amazed at this work you are doing to help and inform others about this dementia journey you are on. I did not realize you had a website and book as well as your You Tube channel. This is All Wonderful and Heart Touching!. I had commented to you , on one of your videos about Peter Rosenberger and Hope for the Caregiver and am thinking now….that I would like to tell him about your work… as I have just realized the extent of what you are doing. I am sure he would be interested..so wanted to tell you that I am going to write him about you. I have had some correspondence with him already regarding his own work and so will do that soon. God Bless You for All you are doing! Sincerely, Elizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth!