I have reached a point where sometimes I don't want anyone to know I have Alzheimer's. It is not that I am in denial or that I have suddenly decided that people should not know. I know, however, that that is not an option. I must continue to spread the word so that people will know that having Alzheimer's is not an immediate death sentence. It also doesn't mean that I will be confined to a home in the near future.
My main issue is with the people that, because of the diagnosis, expect me to be less of a person. I'm tired of hearing - You don't sound like you have Alzheimer's. I'm not sure what you think I should sound like. Please don't say - You seem so normal. I am normal. I just happen to have a disease that will eventually destroy by brain. Some days are good and some are bad. I will be honest with you and tell you when it is a bad day.
I am still me. I am not hard of hearing so please don't talk loud to me. It does help if you face me when you talk so that I can direct my attention to you. That makes it easier to concentrate on what you are saying. Please don't talk so fast that I can't follow what you are saying but by the same token don't slow down so much that you treat me like a child.
Please don't keep asking me if I'm 'foggy' today. On the days that I am I don't usually recognize that fact but I will respond with a yes because you obviously think I am.
My brain processes information at a slower pace than it did in the past. There may come a time when additional tasks are more difficult for me. I'm doing the best I can right now. I don't mean to be rude when I ask you to repeat what you just said. I appreciate your help when I stumble on my words. I still enjoy your company and I hope you still enjoy mine. Please be patient with me but don't treat me like I am less of a person than I was before this disease invaded my brain.
Alzheimer's is what I have. It is not who I am.
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