Now for those of you whole don't know, Alzheimer's is a disease that people (often elderly) get in the brain that affects their memory, sensory, and just about every other part of their life. Someone can have it for years, before it even really takes effect.
My grandfather has this. He has Alzheimer's, and he's had it a while. By posting this- I just hope to be able to raise the overall awareness of this horrible disease. He doesn't talk, and when he does it's often either completely off topic, or not understandable. He is in a wheelchair now, and has less than six months left.
Right now I'm at my grandparents house. We, my grandma, mom, and I, visit my grandpa at the nursing home EVERY DAY that we're here. Today, before going to visit, I made the mistake of watching 'Animal Cops: Houston'. Sitting next to him at the home, and reflecting off of the show I had seen just moments ago, I questioned the point of it all.
You know, had my grandpa been in his same situation as an animal in the show, he would have been putdown long ago. Sitting next to him and rubbing his leg, he didn't even seem to notice me with his milky-blue eyes. I've always loved my grandpa, and mom says he adored me- especially when I was a baby. So to look him in the eye and understand that he doesn't recognize me- well sometimes it's too much... Too overwhelming.
But no matter what- I know I can rise up. Maybe it's hard at this point to find the 'silver lining', but I won't let all of that to get in my way. I'll go to my family- my friends, and they'll make me forget, just like they always do.
I'll go to God. Maybe I've never had the strongest faith, but I want to! Other people CRY while in prayer. Who am I to be any less reverent? Nobody.
Just remember though- now, in modern society, it's SO easy to lose grip of what's important in life! So next time you blow-off a opportunity to walk around the park with your grandad- take it, and remember all the people like me around the world that would KILL for an opportunity like that- like the ones we skipped out on and regret as well. And for what? Episode twenty-six of 'Dragon Ball Z'. Next time you do that- remember.
You know, nobody's going to be there for you forever. Death and sickness are a part of life. Don't let it sneak up on you.
- ForeverFall-
