July 15, 2025
Dear Dementia,
I don’t remember my first visit to see my grandmother after learning of her diagnosis. I would assume it was later that week, as I spent much of my summers at her house with my family. I hope I didn’t treat her differently, or allowed awkwardness to enter into our relationship. I would assume not as I have no emotional memory of that day. But for so many people they don’t know how to visit their loved ones after a diagnosis.
It always breaks my heart when I hear of people not visiting their loved ones out of fear, misunderstanding, or lack of caring after you enter the picture. The memories of my grandmother post diagnosis are some of my most cherished and beautiful memories. I started to get to know her in a new way akin to an adult child learning about their parents as an adult.
I must live on mission to assist families to remain connected to their loved ones living with you. Through education, through support, through creative means. I can’t do it alone, so I hope to find a community to work with on this mission.
Until tomorrow,
Kate
