IF IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR MY DAD ... then it’s possible

I have a story to share. I am a daughter who took the walk through Alzheimer’s disease with my dad, a journey that did not come with a roadmap.

I cannot speak to what anyone else’s experience with the disease will be. But after 12 years of treatment, and likely more living with Alzheimer’s, the day on which my dad was last conscious he called me by name and spoke words of meaning only to me. He sat with my mom, held her hand, knew exactly who she was, and told her how much he loved her and that she was the love of his life. He was tired of living in the body that had carried him for 92 years, and it was time for him to go. That to me was the ultimate success!

Now consider this. Gunder Hagg, of Sweden, set the world record for running a mile in 4 minutes and 1.3 seconds in 1945. Athletes tried and failed, for many years, to run the mile in less than four minutes. It was, therefore, considered impossible. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first person to break that barrier coming in at 3 minutes 59.4 seconds. Interestingly, his world record in the mile run did not stand long, broken little more than one month later. Once broken, several factors such as improved surface conditions and training and running techniques, contributed to the continual lowering of the record. 

The point is that until the first person broke the record, it was thought to be impossible. I believe that if my dad and I could have the experience that we did, then it is possible for others too. My story is a success story, one of possibility and meaning. If it can happen for me, it is possible for you.

Through the story of our journey, I hope to inspire you to think, to know that even with Alzheimer's the possibilities are limitless. With a clear philosophy and the creation of a strategy, you too, can have a roadmap and navigate your loved one's journey so that they have "a most meaningful life."