A boost to my self esteem
A couple of days ago a friend who I've recently connected with after several (for that read 40) years shared this blog on her fb page and the number of views for that day shot through the roof. Then yesterday a piece I posted on here a couple of months ago went out as part of the YoungDementiaUK (https://www.youngdementiauk.org/) bi-monthly newsletter and the number of views went even higher. It was also shared on the organisation's fb group and some lovely comments followed all of which has given a huge boost to my self esteem but also made me realise how far I've come in the last two years. I first came into contact with Kate at YoungDementiaUK when she emailed me to say a reporter had read the blog and been in touch to see if I would be willing to talk to him. At that moment my confidence was at an all time low so Kate's email gave me a huge boost but for various reasons I decided it wasn't a good idea. The feeling that overwhelmed me at the time however was one of sadness that I couldn't talk to Ash about it. Before dementia entered our lives he would have been so proud of me and so supportive but now it wasn't something I could even share with him as he wouldn't understand and his confusion would make him uncomfortable. Today when I had the email from Kate telling me the number of views of the fb page, the number of people who'd read the newsletter, the number of messages received I was amazed, proud of myself but also content with not being able to share it with the one person who would once upon a time have glowed with pride at what had happened. I wouldn't wish what's happened to us on anyone but it has made me stand on my own two feet, has taught me to value myself and has shown me that I am a person in my own right. I wish I could still share everything with him but I can't and acceptance of that fact has made all the difference.
On a very positive note we did our usual weekly grocery shop this morning (usual day, usual shops, usual items) but for the first time ever (and I do know it's still only November) Ash looked at Christmas cards with me, commented favourably on decorations and suggested we went back on a different day to buy them. This has never, ever happened before and showed all over again that there are positives to this new life we're living. The sharing opportunities might be few and far between but they are still there if I watch carefully.
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On a very positive note we did our usual weekly grocery shop this morning (usual day, usual shops, usual items) but for the first time ever (and I do know it's still only November) Ash looked at Christmas cards with me, commented favourably on decorations and suggested we went back on a different day to buy them. This has never, ever happened before and showed all over again that there are positives to this new life we're living. The sharing opportunities might be few and far between but they are still there if I watch carefully.
Comments
Still thinking how to get you more exposure.
I can relate to all of it, although my wife's journey is somewhat different, and some of the things that work
for you two are not what works for us, but it is still really useful and interesting to read!
Thanks for writing this blog, and for keeping the tone so positive. It is so easy to fall into the trap
of self-pity, but your approach really helps give me strength.
We have also been together 15 & 16 married for 43 years
You say it from the heart & exactly as it is
My husband was diagnosed at 60 BVFTD so 4 years in....but looking back symptoms appeared much earlier
I describe it as being on a boat without a paddle!
You certainly have to be in it to understand
Thank you
Jan
My husband was diagnosed with MND FTD about 8 months ago. It’s reassuring to see other people’s comments and know I’m not alone.
Jan, I see your husband has FTD too.
I can’t get to sleep tonight so thought I’d make my first post.