July 24, 2025
Dear Dementia,
I have been sorting through old blog posts of mine and it is interesting to see how my thoughts have changed, expanded, and have been refined about you and your role in my life. I came across a post called, “Her Signature.” While some things have changed, the fact that my grandmother’s signature is still on everything I do has not even budged.
“My Grandma Marie’s signature is on everything I do. Well, you can argue that all of my grandparents and parents have their signature on my life as well, but when looking specifically at dementia, it is my Grandma Marie. My grandma had Vascular Dementia and lived with the disease for 6 1/2 years (a diagnosed 6 1/2 years). I always ask myself whenever I am about to develop a program, lead a training, or sit with someone with dementia, “How would Grandma Marie need me at this moment?” For as many people on this planet with dementia, that is how many different forms the disease takes. It is easy to get swept up into the textbook explanations and medical terms, but with my grandma in mind I am always reminded that this person is not dementia, they have lived a life I do not know and have stories that far exceed what I see before me, they are a full person. With Grandma Marie’s guidance and in remembering her, I have set forth into this work.”
You changed our life, but it was the beauty of who my grandmother was and still is to my life, the gives my life purpose.
Until tomorrow,
Kate
