Norman (Norrms) Mc Namara, who lives with dementia wrote “TODAY” to help us better understand what it’s like. (Unedited. TCV Ed.)
TODAY
Today I put both Coffee and tea in the same cup!
Today I put toothpaste on my face instead of shaving foam!
Today I thought my hankies (2 of) were my socks!!
Today I walked out into the road and nearly got knocked down!
Today I spilt most of my lunch down my new T Shirt (Ruined)
Today I had forgotten most things said to me within seconds!
Today I had my knife and fork in the wrong hands!
Today I couldn’t recognise my neighbour’s name!
Today I was found outside with no shoes on!
Today, I had to go to bed at 8.30pm, as I couldn’t make head nor tail of the TV
Today “I HAVE DEMENTIA”
HOWS YOUR DAY BEEN????
Norrms Mc Namara
Diagnosed 5 years ago with dementia aged 50 yrs old, but still fighting it!!
This poem from Norman stopped me in my tracks. Thank you for writing it Norman. It is a tremendous insight into a typical dementia day. So many things that are taken for granted and these are the very same things that become challenges. My heart goes straight into the fear of what that must be like. Wow are you a courageous man Norman. Again thank you for sharing.
And thank you Jayne for saying so.
Norrms’ TODAY poem is pretty powerful.
It helps us caregivers get a better sense what it’s like to live with dementia.
It can get pretty scary!
You are very welcome my friend, only happy to help, Norrms xxxx
Norm, we have you to thank for all the dedication you have given to finding the cure. We now have some hope that it will be here soon. I admire you for all the awareness you have spread. I like yor poem but I have to tell you, many of the things I as a caregiver have done as well. Not all but some. Thanks again for your dedication. I wear my Angel shirt a lot and drink coffee from my Angel mug each morning. LEt’s pray that cure comes soon and I’m sure it will.
Don, watch out. There’s a concept called “caregiver dementia.” And it’s TRUE…at least for us! My husband and I lived through it with his hallucinations and my disorientation while suffering from sleepless nights and exhaustion trying to keep up with my father. If you haven’t reached those parts already, you’ll read about them in the book “Where’s my shoes?” My Father’s Walk through Alzheimer’s.