Comments on: Blog 2: STICKS and STONES

By: Fay

Fay — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:03:01 +0000

There are 54 Blogs in all, Nola ……. a costly task printing it all off. But, then again, here and there, I like to refer to the hard copy, too. There’s something about a hard copy of anything, isn’t there?

By: Harold and Nola

Harold and Nola — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 21:25:32 +0000

We will definitely keep on reading and are printing off each episode.

By: Fay

Fay — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:54:27 +0000

And when Bill was in Papua New Guinea in 2008, Sonia, working on a Rotary project, he got on well with the local New Guinean workers in much the same way as he got on well with children. He had always got on well with the people of Papua New Guinea but I think that, on that trip, they were even more important to him than they were in those early days because, as a person with failing language skills, they provided him with the social contact that he craved. He often couldn’t have that social contact any more with his own countrymen because he could no longer speak their language fluently enough. But he felt comfortable with the new Guinean workers, who themselves spoke English as a second language. As he did, all the way through his journey with dementia, he found ways to compensate for his losses. So, he enjoyed contact with little children who didn’t yet have perfect language ……. made friends with people who forgave him his language imperfections because they themselves spoke English imperfectly …… conversed, whenever he could, with dogs and birds.
I think that is why experts advise dementia patients to get a dog. In a small way, being able to talk to the dog, fills in a hole.

By: Sonia Hendy

Sonia Hendy — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:34:22 +0000

I remember those conversations with Bill and saying “yes” at which I thought were the appropriate times. He always had a smile but I often wonder what he was really thinking. He seemed to respond to children and make a fuss over them so how great he had a new grandchild to admire.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:22:44 +0000

So glad you did write it – that moment was there and you took it. The moving on bit is good too. Maybe you got it right …

By: Fay

Fay — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:59:38 +0000

It has indeed been an extraordinary journey Suzi. And the funny thing is that I don’t think that I could write it now. I was there in the moment and I wanted Bill’s story told. I wanted people to feel a little bit of what it must have been for him ….. of how it is for all people who go through this. And I’m lucky I did it when I did, because now, having moved on a bit, I don’t think that I could write it.
Fay

By: Suzi Carson

Suzi Carson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:00:27 +0000

I think it takes a great deal of courage and fortitude to revisit this journey- to face the ‘techno world’ of blogging, and to actually prepare this story and all the associated information that you have so carefully sifted through, Fay. And I know you have the years of unfolding with the research as you and Bill walked through the unmapped journey that a journey such as this is.
And I remember Bill while I read- AND I discover more about him that I didn’t know.
My hat comes off in great respect to this story which you have written in a way that to start reading is to be pulled into reading more!
xx
Suzi

By: Fay

Fay — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:44:24 +0000

Thank you for taking the trouble to comment, Sharon. I know you are very busy and think it is just great that you can find the time to read Bill’s story.
We are posting more BLOGS soon so I hope you will be able to keep following.
Many thanks,
Fay

By: Sharon Hendy-Moman

Sharon Hendy-Moman — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:48:15 +0000

Fay, I remember Mum and Dad telling me this. 2005 seems so long ago now. I would have thought the same as you. Just old age.

By: Fay

Fay — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:54:58 +0000

It is very moving for me to reread my words about Bill again and to remember him having those problems with language.