The Value of Friends

I hear so many people with dementia talking about having ‘lost’ their friends once they’d be diagnosed with dementia. I lost some of mine when I was first diagnosed but was able to get them back into the fold again through writing my blog. Through ignorance they’d assumed I was at the end of my journey instead of at the beginning. My ability to write fluently gave them a different perspective. Others may not be so lucky.

Most of my friends live in different parts of the country. I was lucky enough to spend time with some of them recently – the Barnsleys in Rugby, Maureen from my days in Stowmarket , Feegrades from MK and stayed with the Berrymans  this weekend just gone. Friends are so important for anyone but for people with dementia they can often represent the connection with the past but also stability for the future if friendships remain in tact.

My friends can see the changes in me but know I’m still me and are there to help me adapt. I recently went to see my friends, the Feegrades, in Milton Keynes. Many moons ago we were neighbours and our children have grown up together as they’re the same age. They’d read in my blog that some days I woke up confused and had to work really hard at deciding what day of the week it was. Well they got me a wonderful pressie which now sits on my bedside cabinet. It’s very simple yet is so perfect for those confused mornings – a wonderful thoughtful gesture…..I can get used to it now so it will be invaluable in the future. I know that lots of these things exist but it’s the fact that they bought it for me that makes it special………

Tells me the time, date and clearly states the day of the week – magic!