Can You See ME?

The poem that follows appeared on Alzheimer's Reading Room this morning. It is on the mark. I also follow it with the comment I posted to it.
I am still working on my theme How to Face Fear with Knowledge. It requires research. It has to do with the professional community surrounding Alzheimer's World trying to categorize the class they assign to it in a workable definition to aid research in finding the cure. The more they can define what Alzheimer's Disease is not the more quickly they can refine the disease for research making it have less triggers that start or exacerbate it. This is helpful in finding the cure but does not do a damn thing for the person who has Dementia that does not fit in.

If the shoe doesn't fit you are screwed. Only Cinderella need apply!

Can You See ME?

I am sitting here with my eyes open, though you speak as if I am not here.

I am here! Can't you see me?

I AM still in here!

Touch me with your hand, Please, my skin still feels. Rub my arm and pat my hand. I CAN feel you. I long for human contact.

I AM in here.

Talk to me. I am alone and isolated in this chair. I am lonely but I cannot tell you. I feel helpless, I can't move by myself.

I sit here all day with no stimulation, only the sound of alarms and intercoms.

I am bored! PLEASE TALK TO ME!

This poem was written by Anne Marie a woman suffering from dementia. The poem was sent to us by Judy Berry, Lakeview Ranch.

Can You See ME

Read the poem “Can You See ME?” then tell me why! Why is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) treated like leprosy and those of us with it­ shunned like lepers? This poem ­­tells it like it is.

Is there an answer for this? Is there any reason why?          

We have allowed sensationalism to be made of our disease, trusted others to make it's shock value such as to get response. That response is contribution of money to find the cure. The shock value is intended to create fear; afraid you might get AD if it you do not contribute and make it go away.

In this way we are used and abused for no good coming to us. Only the ones getting a financial return from raising money are getting a return on this characterization.

We are the losers in the poem. We are the losers because there is no hope. We get the disease; we are placed on the shelf where there is no notice of us, no programs to help us maintain our functionality in the Early Stage. When it is time for the “Home” nothing is done to keep the institutional cost within reason.

Why? There is nothing that can be done but to keep us safe and then be committed to the institution when this is no longer possible. This is what Dr Alois Alzheimer said in 1902. This is what too many professionals think and sat today.

Because of the fear of it as it is increases in number then melodramatically characterized as even worse no one wants to be in the same room with an untouchable.