Opening the flood gates
This morning I'd been invited along to meet the board of the Lincolnshire NHS Foundation Trust and tell them of our experiences on this journey through dementia. Some of my friends, when I'd told them about the invitation, had asked whether I thought the board were quite ready to hear what I had to say and the reaction certainly told me that it wasn't what they expected. In fact the Chair of the board said that it wasn't often they were stunned into silence but my tale of an almost complete absence of support had done just that. They were all lovely, asked good questions and said they would be in touch about a way forward not just for us but for others in our situation so that was all excellent and hopefully will bring about changes in the system. They also asked me if I'd mind being filmed for a short retelling of the tale. I said I didn't mind on condition I never had to see the film so fingers crossed I don't. The thing that took me by surprise about the whole experience though was how emotional it all was. You might think I should have expected it and certainly I've thought for a while that the only way I'm able to cope with all of this is to put a lid on everything I'm feeling but I was really surprised by how quickly I unravelled as soon as I began to describe the moment we were given the diagnosis. It's a long while since I've sobbed and I didn't do it there but on the way home the floodgates really opened and it all came out leaving me with a feeling of relief that something might be done so that others don't have to go through what we have and a determination to work in whatever way necessary to help get it done.
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Don't forget you can sign up to have this delivered straight into your inbox, just remember to click on the validation email (which may be in your junk mail/trash box). You can share specific posts with others by clicking on the 3 dots at the top right hand corner of the page, you can share the blog by copying and pasting the web address www.memoryfortwo.com or you can email me at memoryfortwo@gmail.com if you have anything you want to say privately. You can also now follow me on twitter, just search for Memory For Two.
Comments
I’m sure your address to the NHS Trust was an absolute blinder and told truths they needed to hear. I really hope that good things come out of it, not just platitudes. But you have grown with your family’s experience of dementia and forged a positive way forward. You’ve blazed a trail, lovely lady, and you need to be very proud. I hope you do find it in yourself to look at any film recordings; I’m sure it won’t be as terrible as you think!
sound like it was tough but also very powerful. Let's hope something comes from it!