What keeps me going…….?

After such a busy few months I finally had my last book event last week. I’d had a wonderful time and loved every minute of it. But it’s taken its toll. I’m empty and exhausted. I know I mustn’t stop or dementia will creep up on me so most of this week will be spent simply typing and pottering…..

I hope you know me well enough to know I’m not saying this for your pity.

The other day I set off travelling home at 9.30 and got home at 6pm, totally exhausted. So what keeps me doing what I do when faced with such challenges and exhaustion?

When I ask 200 children who knows someone with dementia and 2 thirds raise their hands

When a child writes that they won’t get upset when grandad forgets their name, they’ll smile and give him a hug all the same – because they heard me say it

When nurses eyes light up and make notes on the basics……because they heard me say it

When someone on Twitter says my words will change the way she practices…..because she read my blog

When a Gp questions my ability to speak articulately and be inciteful….because they’re in the audience – but at least I can respond and hopefully change their way of thinking.

When those who have partners thank me for giving them ideas on how to help their partner…….because they heard me speak

When someone comes up to me afterwards and says, he and his wife had never talked about her dementia but he was now going to talk to her in her care home and hope it’s not too late

When my Gp says she’s now read my book and has advised others in the practice to do the same..

I could go on, but I’ve learnt that I live in a very tiny bubble of people who know and understand and the rest of the world is yet to be educated.

When no one is surprised, when no one learns something new, when no one reads my blog or attends my events because the world has got it……..that’s when I’ll stop.

Mmmmmm me thinks that wont be in my life time. So I’ll hopefully die before dementia takes hold and prevents me doing all this, otherwise I could well be in the hands of those who don’t get it…….what a nightmare thought that is..

I’ll continue to exhaust myself for as long as people listen and learn. As I’ve said before I’d rather die of exhaustion than dementia. My daughters are with me on this and I couldn’t do it if they weren’t there for me.

I child writing this keeps me going……