Alzheimers Fight

‘My Dad died 2 years ago today from Lewy Body Dementia, but we lost him to the vicious degenerative disease five excruciating months prior to his death. In July 2018, just a few days after his 65 birthday, it was like a switch was flipped and my articulate, brilliant father was gone. A siege of abnormal proteins ravaged his brain creating a biological change that left a shell of the man who raised me.

The word dementia doesn’t embody the full spectrum of symptoms associated with degenerative brain diseases. It’s not memory loss. It’s a complete loss of reality, replaced with a construct of your mind that is filled with violent paranoia, disturbing hallucinations, extreme anxiety, insomnia and loss of appetite that should alone make anyone drop dead. But no, that’s the brutal truth of Lewy Body Dementia. Yes, it slowly kills you, but it’s not what you die from.

I experienced so many misconceptions about dementia from friends, family and even medical professionals! My Dad’s case was a complex one, but by sharing what we experienced I hope it raises awareness for Lewy Body Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Mixed Dementia and others. The taboo and confusion around dementia will only end when there is compassion for those who are crippled by degenerative brain diseases and their advocates/caregivers.

I’ve experienced firsthand how quickly people can disregard what they don’t know or understand. In 2020 we have all gained a greater empathy and understanding of each other’s struggles and the impact we have on our neighbors.

My hope for the year ahead is that we raise our standards of care. In a larger sense with our healthcare system, but more importantly at the most basic, human level.’ @mschoppman 💜 #dementia #dementiaawareness #alzheimers #alzheimersawareness #alzheimersfight #endalz

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