JOAN’S WEEKEND BLOG – APRIL 26/27, 2008 – LESSONS FROM DR. CAHILL’S LECTURE – MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH CAREGIVING

Did you ever do something half-heartedly  and for no particular reason, and have it turn out to be unexpectedly spectacular ? That is what happened to me on Friday. I received an e-mail on Wednesday about a lecture by Dr. Teena Cahill being held on Friday. Pretty short notice. I debated about going, was lukewarm about it, but since it was a benefit for Project Lifesaver  which I have promoted on this website, I decided to go.

You can read background information about DR. TEENA CAHILL by clicking on her name, but to give a brief summary – she is an author (THE CAHILL FACTOR -TURNING ADVERSITY INTO ADVANTAGE), lecturer, psychologist - a one-woman dynamo of energy, strength, courage, resilience, and humor. She was a busy wife, mother, stepmother, and psychologist, who was unexpectedly (Who ever expects it?) thrust into the caregiving role when her pilot husband suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, and later, a spinal cord injury.

Whenever I attend conferences and lectures, I like to take one piece of information from it that I feel is relevant to our discussions here at this website, and will benefit all of us. Dr. Cahill talked about our innate resiliency (It’s hard wired into our nature); that we need to focus on the positive aspects of the person for whom we are caring; that we need to live in the moment – take one day at a time and handle its problems. But the one theme that resonated with me the most was that we can take our caregiving role, follow the path it leads us on, and make positive changes for others. In spite of all the trauma, heartache, and hard work of caregiving, those who turn it into a positive experience to benefit others, live longer, happier lives (according to statistics).

Why did I feel this was so pertinent to the Blogs and discussions we have engaged in here?  Last September, I wrote a blog asking “Can Anything Positive Come from Our AD Experience?” The Message Boards were filled with ambivalence - a lot of "NO'S", with some positive clarifications. But let’s take a look at just four of our readers:

Bettyhere – She has written two books( When the Doctor says "Alzheimer's: Your Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's and Dementia, and ALZHEIMER'S SURGERY: An Intimate Portrait)
about her experiences with her AD husband, and writes a website for caregivers. Her insight, advice, and experience have helped thousands of people, including many of us, through her Message Board posts. Although her husband is deceased, she has managed to carve out a contented life, as she continues to give of herself to others.

Tony – Distraught over the EOAD diagnosis of his young wife, he has taken up the cause of bringing awareness of the devastating effects EOAD has on young families.He allowed his local newspaper to do a story about him and his wife. He attends town meetings, meets with politicians, and has become an advocate for funding for all those suffering from EOAD. From one of his message board posts: "I just thought I would let you know that I have gotten several contacts from other caregivers of EOAD spouses. I am glad I did the story but I did have my doubts and a little reluctants to go public. However the fact that I have been able to help others by raising this issue and giving them a contact outlet has been the first real positive thing to come out of this EOAD nightmare. "

Trish – She opened up her home and family to CBS news to bring awareness to familial AD. She has educated us all concerning genes, EOAD, and genetic testing.

Ruth – She has made it her mission to bring Project Lifesaver to as many communities across the country as possible. She works tirelessly with community leaders and law enforcement to make this life saving service available to all who need it.

Of course not everyone is able to be as active and involved as these I have mentioned, but it is the attitude that counts. If you can take this miserable AD experience, learn from it, find your inner strength from it, survive it, and help others through education and awareness, I believe you can come out of it to a contented life.  I believe that was one of the messages Dr. Cahill was trying to convey -  I do hope I have done justice to her lecture.

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com

©Copyright 2008 Joan Gershman 

View Printer Friendly Version

The material included on this website contains general information intended as information only. This site is not intended to provide personal, professional, medical, or psychological advice, and should not be relied upon to govern behavior in any certain or particular circumstances. The opinions in the blogs are solely those of the owner of the website. The opinions on the message boards are not necessarily endorsed by the owner of this website, and are the opinions of those persons writing the messages. All material on this web site is for demonstration and informational purposes only.

The Alzheimer Spouse LLC 2009 All Rights Reserved