"Imagine being in your 40s and having a diagnosis of dementia—at the prime of your life. Twenty years ago this happened to Christine Bryden.
Despite having difficulty remembering what she’s doing—often from one minute to the next—she’s applied her extraordinary insight into the disease for the benefit of others.
This diagnosis doesn’t automatically mean you are an empty shell, she says, and she’s discovered the joy of truly living in the moment."
I was particularly interested in Christine's comments about three levels of being and communication: cognitive, emotional and spiritual. She makes the point that the cognitive dimension is the first to decline for people with dementia, then the emotional level becomes more difficult. But even to the end the spirit of the person is still real and connection can be made on a spirit to spirit level without the need for words and cognition.
This is an excellent interview for all of us to listen to! It has great wisdom for those suffering from any stage of dementia and for those who care for and support them. Both the audio and the transcript are available here.
