My husband speaks about his life with his dementia

Three years ago the doctors put a label on my husband’s (Dave) changing personality, behavior and emotions. It explains why he doesn’t recognize his fellow teachers of 25 years; why he has trouble reading and speaking; why he is quieter and is withdrawing into his own world. It explains the seizures, hand tremors, loss of sense of humor (almost), and changing senses–hearing, taste, smell, touch. 

Dave at age 57 was officially diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia. His attitude is amazing. When I ask him if he gets frustrated that his hand shakes making it difficult for him to carve–his passion for 35 years–or that he doesn’t recognize people, or that he has daily headaches, he says “Yes”.  Are you angry? “No”  “I know it is my problem and I can’t blame anyone for this. I have to figure it out”. Wow. FTD affects insight and I love it when I hear flashes of it from Dave.

I watch and learn from Dave every day. I am curious what it must be like to live with dementia and his continual challenges so I did a video of Dave last week while we were snowshoeing. If you want to hear some of his thoughts please click on this video: ”http://www.youtube.com/v/m0VOv_ZV-Xc&hl=en_US&fs=1&”></param><param