Faith: a 2 legged dog has a different perspective on life

It is Christmas time and there are lots of great stories I could write about, but the one I received this morning from my daughter had the biggest message of all… There was a puppy born on Christmas Eve, 2002, with 2 legs. His mother, the breeder and his first owner didn’t think he would ever walk and thought he should be put down. But along came Jude Stringfellow, a teacher, and someone who had the belief that this pup would walk some day. She named him Faith. Through coaxing and... 

[Read The Full Article]

Are you afraid of losing your memory?

Since my university days I have been curious about how the brain works. Maybe this was foreshadowing or preparing me for my life today: living with my husband, Dave who has Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Science hasn’t found a cure or ways to slow down FTD, so Dave and I are doing our best to manage his condition. Last weekend we visited friends in Calgary who haven’t seen Dave in a year. They were surprised at how well he is doing. It has been 3 years since he was diagnosed (first signs appeared... 

[Read The Full Article]

Learning to Live in Harmony with Frontotemporal Dementia

Byron Katie’s book, ‘A Thousand Names for Joy’ (Living in Harmony with the way things are) is a great book for where I am in life.  The chapters are short and each one has a story or message about being in total ease in the present moment (painful or not). Since my husband, Dave was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia 3 years ago, this book is another reminder of one of the biggest lessons I am learning…accepting what is. In one of her stories, Katie describes a conversation with Peter,... 

[Read The Full Article]

Another Insight into the Challenges of Dave’s Dementia

As I was driving home today, I was feeling sad because this is the last ride of the season in my Smart car. I would love to drive it year round, but we have a steep driveway with 2 switchbacks, and my little car is too light to make it to the top (even with his snow boots on). Usually I am not attached to material possessions but for some reason, I feel happy whenever I am inside of Raphael (my car). I especially love to watch my husband, (6’4” 230 lbs.) drive away in it. It looks like he is... 

[Read The Full Article]