Lewy Body Dementia

I heard the CRAZIEST thing ever on the news today.

Scientists have developed an alcohol pill.

"What is that?" You might ask..

Here let me tell you

It's a pill you can take, you will get drunk, but then the next day you won't have a hangover.

Wow!

What an incredible breakthrough.

On the same note, I met with my Grandpa Eric today who is living with Lewy Body Dementia. Every time I visit it's the same. I use a key card to open the locked door, and then I walk to his room where he is sitting in his wheelchair. Today he told me I was late. He is always happy to see me, or even anyone as he is forced to be separated from his wife of 62 years. We talk about our day, (because that's all he really knows is happening) Then I take him in a walk in his wheelchair because he can't walk. We look at the sunset. We talk some more as he stumbles over his words and struggles to get them out.

Then, promptly at 4:45 I take him to his seat at the table, where he waits. Even though food doesn't come till 5:30, he said sometimes he will get an extra cup of coffee or a salad. Today was salad. He couldn't get his hands to work to get the lettuce on the fork so I willingly fed my dear sweet Eric. Then I watched him struggle to get the cup up to his mouth because he still wants his independence. After salad we talk some more, and he told me how frustrated he was with his wheelchair. But that he has learned to deal with it because there isn't a cure, or medication to help. It's his life.

5:25 comes and I have to leave so they can have their supper. I get up, kiss him on the cheek and tell him I'll see him tomorrow. He is sad, and doesn't want to be alone.

I go out the locked door, and make sure it locks behind me.

This is the face of Lewy Body Dementia. But congratulations scientist!

You've created the alcohol pill!

Comments

Lessons From Environmental Issues: State Shift

I've been taking this Bio class called environmental issues, and to put it lightly, there's not a whole lot that I like about it. However I found something useful this week, maybe something that touched me more than it should have. There are different types of changes in the environment. For example: Resilience : is the ability for the environment to bounce back after something drastic happens. Like a tornado, or a hurricane. Let's put this into people's lives, this is like a break up, or the ending of a friendship. It hurts, it even devastates you but give it time, all things will go back to it's natural state. However long that takes, it will heal. You will heal. Then.. There's a change called a state shift . This is uncommon in the environment, because of it's tragic and lasting effects. A state shift means no matter how hard the environment tries, it will never be how it was before, it's changed and can't be reversed. Now let's ...

6 Things I Learned from Dating the Wrong Person

Sometimes we get it wrong. We simply get it wrong. On occasion it's because we are too stubborn to admit we are wrong, other times its because we just didn't know. But just because we got it wrong doesn't mean we have to stay in pain for the rest of our young lives. It doesn't mean our hearts will be shattered forever. You know that saying, the one everyone says when you break up? It goes a little like this, 'At least you learned something.... right? ' Gosh. Doesn't that phrase piss you off? Yes, it bothers me as well. It takes time, TONS of time before a glimmer can even happen. After dating a man for almost two years, and being alone for the past year, I have decided to try what they all say, and figure out what I learned. Here are the ramblings of a stressed out college girl piecing her life together. Lesson 1: Not all the time is it a 'me' problem. A relationship takes two willing adults to make it function. No matter how hard you try,...

Of Life and Living

I don't pretend to know a whole ton, maybe because I don't. However there are times in our lives, check points if you will, that give us a chance to look back reflect and see where we are going. I so value times like that. Times like today. Why did I check point today? I did it because 21 years ago I was born. Weird right? I don't feel like I'm 21, but whatever. So I was trying to think up things that I may have learned or changed in these years of life, and after much pondering I could only think up a few. So here they are. Knowledge according to Shay. 1) Tough times NEVER last. I know they feel like they will, and I feel like they will, but they don't. They simply can't. So bite down, hold on, and bear the wind, because it will end. 2) Challenges make us stronger. Just like muscles, sometimes we must be torn in order to grow. Challenges work the same way. 3) Life is good. As good as you want it to be. Either you can go through life complaining, wis...

Living Life Under 5 Foot

Search This Blog