Over five years ago, I lost my mom to dementia. She was 67 and I, 33 when she left this world. She gave life everything she had. She fought dementia like she fought for her family, with determination and fearlessness. Her journey with dementia was unique and at times, perplexing. We struggled to understand what she was experiencing and why. However, through everything, she remained a bright light. Even in the darkest moments, she demonstrated strength and grace. When she was diagnosed with dementia I grieved the inevitably that she would lose the recognition of me and my children and now I grieve the reality that my two youngest children (at the time were only 4 and 2 years old) struggle to retain their memories of my mom and their nana. So while I grieve this loss as a son, most of all, I am grieving as a father. My kids deserved more time and more memories of her. Dementia took this from them. My experiences as her son helped reshape my perspectives around the care and support of people living with dementia. Although, I am devastated to be without her, she will continue to be my inspiration and drive me to be better and do more. I will work tirelessly to find ways to improve the lives of people living with dementia and the people who care for and about them. On October 28th, my family and I will walk in her honor at the Walk to End Alzheimer's at Hunt Valley Town Center (the future home of the next Maryland Brightview Senior Living community which will have an incredible Wellspring Village for people living with dementia).
Please donate to the Walk to End Alzheimer's and/or join us for the walk.
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