What I Know

Every unwanted movement in my hand or arm, every twitch that I cannot anticipate or arrest, is a reminder that even in the domain of my own being, I am not calling the shots.
~Michael J. Fox

Thank you to Linda Baie for sharing this TIWYK poem about her beloved late husband Arvie.

What I Know

We knew it would come,
the loss of how to make toast,
how to make his famous fried egg sandwiches,
how to tie his shoes.
If you want to know what I know,
dementia’s different for everyone.
Some get angry, but my husband did not.
He stayed his brave, sweet self,
allowed help when he needed it,
kept going when he knew
each day he might lose something else.
What do you do? Learn what might help.
Enjoy being together,
playing games,
doing puzzles,
taking a final trip with the grandson,
who helps navigate when Grandpa cannot.

Keep hugging,
loving,
when you can’t play anymore.
Find the best doctors,
join a support group,
make sure family comes often.
Patience for the everyday,
for him and for yourself.
Then more patience
to share with him
when he’s lost his.
That’s what I know.

Linda Baie ©

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- The organization that helped Linda and Arvie the most was The Parkinson Association of the Rockies.

- The Alzheimer's Association has information about Parkinson's Dementia. They also have various information for caregivers.