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I received an email a week or so ago that I almost sent to the spammer.
Something made me open it.
It was from a woman named Jody Simpson, of WEGO Health, an online resource for health related issues.
She had been reading my Memory Lane blog and was curious if I’d be interested in doing a “spotlight interview” regarding my personal experience with Alzheimer’s Disease.
I agreed and was contacted by Toni Kistner, the assigned editor for my interview.
Jody and Toni were both incredibly helpful in ultimately getting this thing down on paper.
I thank them both dearly.
Click on the picture above to learn a few things that you may not have known about me.
To leave a comment on WEGO, you may have to register.
If that doesn’t work for you, feel free to leave a comment back here.
As always, thanks so much for reading.
weeping again, Michael. thank you. just back from visiting Mom in cardiac rehab. your words do help. your catharsis through blogging/writing… yep. i’m 5 months on the path…
That is just amazing. It really confirms for me what I have known all along, that you are an emotional and truly intelligent individual with a deep reservoir of strength and caring. Every person that wanders across the pages of your blog is blessed, even if they don’t realize it themselves.
Be well ~m
I just read everything on Memory Lane. I cried. Couldn’t help it. I went through it with my mom too. I have so many memories of what we went through. You have inspired me to write them down, more for myself than anyone else. I also held my father’s hand as he died. We knew he only had hours left. He had a massive stroke. My sister held his other hand. I’m just happy he wasn’t alone. I hope he somehow knew we were there. I visited their graves just the other day. They are right next to each other like they have been for 72 years. Your writing touched me very deeply.
I enjoyed reading the spotlight and finding out more about you. I was sad to learn you have had two parents suffer from Alzheimer’s. But then I was glad that these people had you in their lives and that your dad still does, whether he realizes it or not. It must be horrible to see loved ones lose their personalities when that is what you remember most about them. I wish I could offer you strength to continue aiding your father as best you can. I know you will anyway and that you will have no regrets in the future for all you are doing now. I don’t know how to impart that strength to you, however, so I will do all I can which is to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and send good vibes your way.
I’m just curious. You said your mom was at St Francis. It wasn’t in RI was it?
As a new reader to your blog, it was great to get to know you better through the interview. It’ s so sad that you lost both your parents this way. But in the amazing web of life and the Universe, clearly you were meant to be doing this – touching and helping people, and in so doing, helping to heal the planet – and I think you’re amazing for walking the path as incredibly gracefully as you do. I’m so glad I’ve ‘met’ you.
That was a great article, Michael.
Have you considered writing articles for Alzheimer’s sites or magazines?
You’re a remarkable man, Michael .. and a wonderful son.
I read the interview .. three times. Very nice .. informative. Damn good job!
Michael-
Lynn (and the gang, too)
After reading the interview, I do think what you are going through and have done is remarkable. You manage to stay strong, with your families love, through all of it. Love and Faith are a wonderful things, aren’t they? I agree with one of the comments that you will never regret the time spent. You, along with Pam, are teaching your girls wonderful lessons. Lessons of love, giving, caring, heartache, sadness, sharing….all things that they will be able to handle in their everyday lives, with grace! I’m proud to say we’re friends!
Rock On!
You’re the best, dude.
Great job Michael! It’s nice to see your hard work is getting the recognition it deserves. Very nice piece. I wish you continued success spreading the word and your experiences regarding this horrible disease.
Your friend,
SnotSucker
I thoroughly enjoyed the spotlight on you. Good things coming out of bad things –
BTW, I really like the banner picture of the hand on the piano keys.
You know my opinion of this already.
Moving, emotional, all “those” things.
Well done ~m…I do enjoy seeing posts like this…reinforces my opinion of “you”
Cheers
Moe
Terrific interview. It was well written. As always, thank you for sharing.
Hi Michael – my father suffers with Parkinson’s disease and dementia brought on (we believe) by a head injury he incurred through a hit and run accident (he was on a bike).
Your wise words in the article linked here are of tremendous help to me with respect to dealing with my father – and my mother. Like you, I will know that I didn’t “walk away” and that, at least is comfort.
I came across your blog in a roundabout way. I was searching for an insomnia-related cartoon and found myself caught up in all of your wonderful stuff here and there (I was at your old blog first).
I am beginning a new project. I manage a blog of poetry (see link above), but as my husband is currently dealing with severe insomnia and I have frequent bouts of it myself, I thought a new blog where people can meet to discuss their night-owl pursuits might be of help to some. If you’re interested, check it out at http://www.hypnyx.blogspot.com
I will add you to my links at Poetikat’s Invisible Keepsakes and hope you can stop in sometime.
Thanks for a great blog!
Kat
No way! That’s awesome. Congratulations about the interview!
So I skipped on over read the article, and this sentence was the one that struck me:
“Learn to love the familiar stranger in your midst.”
It’s incredible how much emotion and love and endurance can be communicated in a single sentence.
lovely writing