Maybe I should explain the heading to the last post. Here in New Zealand we have a wonderful children's author called Lynley Dodd, whose alliterative children's books are a household word.
Perhaps her best-loved character is Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, who actually featured in a TV ad - I think it was for milk - a few years back. A series of young children and parents were shown "bedtime reading" his most famous escapade:
"Out of the gate and off down the street
Went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy..." Etcetera.
For some reason this quote just would not leave my mind when it came to writing the last post - so here's a pic of Hairy Maclary himself, linked to his Author's website: 
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alzheimers, alzheimers care, dementia, caregiver, alzheimers disease
Monday, August 07, 2006
Explain..............
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Out of the Car and Off Down the Street....
Initially Kath wasn't too bad about waiting while I did what I had to do. Then I began to find that she would say to me as I explained that I was going into a shop, "Don't be gone long!" And when I came back "Oh it is SOOO nice to see you again!" - as if I had been away for hours. Then it came to be that if I was away more than a very few minutes she would start to get out of the car - only her lack of mobility prevents her going further - or else open the car door to attract the attention of passers-by. So I would come back to the car to find a group of people around her, which does not make for a good feeling.
I can assure you, it's an awful moment when the Assembled Multitude sees you coming and the heads turn........
On one occasion I took my pc in to be fixed and had to spend a few minutes explaining to the techie what was wrong. When I came out of the shop I found my mother sitting on the pavement on a chair with a very nice couple in charge of her. Where they got the chair from heaven only knows, but as usual the episode made me feel guilty, in spite of having its humorous side.
One day I made the mistake of saying to her "I'm just going into that shop to get - whatever it was - OK?" Her somewhat typical style of response was "Yes, provided you are not gone long." For a second I was speechless. I don't hold with living under provisos and she found that out then and there - assuming she understood what I was on about. Another of those days when the full impact of the situation bore down on me unbearably.
More recently I had to move some funds into my credit card, which is not held by my own bank. I parked outside my bank (lucky day!), went in, drew a little cash and straight to the other bank just 2 doors up the street. I was doing business with a teller when a lady came up to me and said, "Is that your mother in the car out there?" My heart sank - here we go again. The teller said "Off you go!" and I rushed back to the car where another nice lady was sitting on the kerb talking to my mom with her teenage daughter standing alongside. She very kindly said she would stay while I finished my transaction so I went back and hastened through it. I tell you, it's like being under orders.
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Technorati Tags:
alzheimers, alzheimers care, dementia, caregiver, alzheimers disease
I can assure you, it's an awful moment when the Assembled Multitude sees you coming and the heads turn........
On one occasion I took my pc in to be fixed and had to spend a few minutes explaining to the techie what was wrong. When I came out of the shop I found my mother sitting on the pavement on a chair with a very nice couple in charge of her. Where they got the chair from heaven only knows, but as usual the episode made me feel guilty, in spite of having its humorous side.
One day I made the mistake of saying to her "I'm just going into that shop to get - whatever it was - OK?" Her somewhat typical style of response was "Yes, provided you are not gone long." For a second I was speechless. I don't hold with living under provisos and she found that out then and there - assuming she understood what I was on about. Another of those days when the full impact of the situation bore down on me unbearably.
More recently I had to move some funds into my credit card, which is not held by my own bank. I parked outside my bank (lucky day!), went in, drew a little cash and straight to the other bank just 2 doors up the street. I was doing business with a teller when a lady came up to me and said, "Is that your mother in the car out there?" My heart sank - here we go again. The teller said "Off you go!" and I rushed back to the car where another nice lady was sitting on the kerb talking to my mom with her teenage daughter standing alongside. She very kindly said she would stay while I finished my transaction so I went back and hastened through it. I tell you, it's like being under orders.
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Technorati Tags:
alzheimers, alzheimers care, dementia, caregiver, alzheimers disease
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