Post by pricivius on Jun 30, 2008 23:24:03 GMT 1
My step-father was diagnosed with Pick's Disease in March 2006. Pick's is a rare form of dementia otherwise known as FTD (Frontal-Temporal Lobe Degeneration) and is recognised as a serious mental impairment/brain disease. Having led a hugely success life with a fantastic career, this is the saddest demise - without wishing to exaggerate, I can assure you that every one of you at some time, and possible time and time again, will have laughed at my step-father's work.
The truth of the situation is that we are losing a piece of him every day - he steps further into the shadows and further away from us. And every day we search for something to bring a smile to his face or a flicker of recognition in his eyes. So why am I telling you this?
5 weeks ago I fostered my first dog - a crazy GSD cross with no manners! I took him round to my parents' house and the dog went straight to my step-dad and placed his head on his lap. This was the calmest thing I had seen this dog do! I then decided to take my step-dad out for a walk. After several weeks of utterly one-sided conversation, I was amazed to hear my step-father tell me about Honey (known as Huffer), his first X breed dog. He then talked about their rescue Golden Retriever, Lucky, followed by Caddie and Wedge, his yellow labradors. He focused on my foster dog so well and enjoyed a lovely long walk, hardly pausing for breath as he was so eager to tell me about his dogs.
It was so good to know that my step-dad is still there, even if he's finding it harder and harder to express himself these days.
The trick to unlocking my step-dad? Who would have guessed a mad rescue dog would hold the key?
The truth of the situation is that we are losing a piece of him every day - he steps further into the shadows and further away from us. And every day we search for something to bring a smile to his face or a flicker of recognition in his eyes. So why am I telling you this?
5 weeks ago I fostered my first dog - a crazy GSD cross with no manners! I took him round to my parents' house and the dog went straight to my step-dad and placed his head on his lap. This was the calmest thing I had seen this dog do! I then decided to take my step-dad out for a walk. After several weeks of utterly one-sided conversation, I was amazed to hear my step-father tell me about Honey (known as Huffer), his first X breed dog. He then talked about their rescue Golden Retriever, Lucky, followed by Caddie and Wedge, his yellow labradors. He focused on my foster dog so well and enjoyed a lovely long walk, hardly pausing for breath as he was so eager to tell me about his dogs.
It was so good to know that my step-dad is still there, even if he's finding it harder and harder to express himself these days.
The trick to unlocking my step-dad? Who would have guessed a mad rescue dog would hold the key?