Looking Dementia In The Eye by Norrm’s McNamara
Looking Dementia
In The Eye
By Norrms McNamara
Sitting in the Barbers chair I suddenly found myself staring myself straight in the eyes. Just for a fleeting second I didn’t recognise the person looking back at me, but once that had passed I started to think about my life and this awful illness that has had the nerve to invade my life. As much as a tried to remember more recent events I couldn’t, and the more I tried, the more frustrated I got.
(I have to say at this point that the young barber wasn’t the most talkative person in the world!!)
So, I stared, and stared, and as far as I was concerned, I was staring dementia right in the eye!! Yes, I might have been looking at myself but the person I was looking at had dementia, had almost become dementia`s slave and because of the person I am/was/ or about to become, I knew I had to had do this, something about it felt so right.
So I began to look myself up and down and try to figure out what was different about me, what I had become because of this awful illness and how many before me, had sat there, having their haircut going through the same emotion. I am not the only person in the world with this disease. So many before must have sat, having their haircut, thinking exactly the same thing. What conclusion had they come to? What decisions had they made, sitting quietly, but intensely staring themselves out? Did they manage to recall their past or just concentrate on their future? OR, did they sadly resign themselves to what will be, will be, which is also understandable because we are all so very different.
Who would have thought a simple thing like having your haircut could conjure up so many questions and answers? But, as we always say, there is absolutely nothing predictable about Dementia and this was just another example of how an every day event can be invaded by this disease and how it makes you think about your life in sometimes, the strangest of places.
Me? Who or what did I see that day? I saw the same person, I saw ME!!! And that’s the person I want everybody to see ME and ME alone. I want people to talk to ME and not about me, I want people to include ME and not dismiss me and I want people to UNDERSTAND ME and not be confused by this disease we call Dementia. IS THIS TO MUCH TO ASK!!
That’s who I saw!!!
I
SAW
ME!!
Why can’t you??????
Best wishes, Norrms Mc Namara Diagnosed 5yrs ago aged 50 and still fighting it !!!
hi Norms Mc Namara, great to read your letter about Dementia.. I have MCI.. for only 3 mo.. I am now 60, since last Dec 2013.. how do I know if what I have will progress to Dementia? thanks so much for any info about this.. I am on a new Drug just started today.. Namenda. so far the 1st dose has gone well.. I will be on it for 1 mo before I see my neurologist again.. thanks much.. Lisa Culp
________________________________
Hi Lisa
I will make sure Norrms get the message so he can respond to you. Thanks for sharing
Lori
Reblogged this on lava kafle kathmandu nepal.
Hiya lisa, what type of MCI have you been diagnosed with please for you to be prescibed Nameda, i hope i can help furher with a little more info, take care, Norrms and famlly xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Norm – I want to talk to you about an integrative medicine approach to healing YOU. Can you contact me = Pam McDonald integrative Medicine nurse practitioner. I wrote the book The Perfect Gene Diet and integrative medicine approach to healing the whole person. – Warm regards Pam McDonald – 925 736 8510 – http://www.PerfectGeneDiet.com – you can be 100 % healthy. You just need to follow a progress – if you want to. I would like to help. Pam
HI Pamela
I’ve passed your comment onto Norrms
Lori
Hi Lori
Thank you very much
Pam
Thank you for the offer Pam but as you can see i live in the Uk and i only abide by medical standards set here, but thank you for your interest my friend, best wishes, Norrms and family
I completely understand – I trained in the UK and am very familiar with the UK healthcare system. What I am referring to is you have an inflammatory disease and I was suggesting you consider an anti inflammatory approach to healing – ask the question why is healing NOT happening for you?
You can contact me via email if you would like to gain some additional information regarding this anti- inflammatory approach
p.mcdonald@mac.com
Warm regards
Pam
Ps born in Scotland – grew up in cornwall went to school in London – then moved to San Francisco – I am now a leading integrative medicine provider primary care family medicine.
I will pass onto Norrms again.
Thanks
Lori