So this year has been and is gearing up to be a very busy year with my advocacy work. It helps keep me well, keeps me engaged, helps me continue to learn despite the dementia. It keeps me propelling forward, always challenging me.
Some days my brain is too muddled and things have to be put aside, but I use that I term as [work arounds] to help me figure out new ways to do things that have I otherwise would not be able to do.
Sometimes it’s like living in one world ( living with dementia) , and still trying to function in the regular world. That is not easy for people with dementia, because all though we try to ensure others understand, clearly like in all other aspects, we can help them have a better understanding but they truly cannot as the saying going ( until you’ve walked in their shoes).
So many speaking engagements this year, I love them, being so engaged with people, sharing so much, allowing people to have a voice.
I am part of the “able team”, advisory board of the INeuron research project. Which is new innovative approach to science. This is a 6 year commitment i have given them. I am also part of Epled group which is the advisory team for the CCNA ( Canadian Consortium in Neurodegenerative Aging) i have been involved with this since it’s inception, and will continue to work with them. We have changed and impacted the world of science. I love the knowledge, gaining a clear and deeper understanding of the how’s and why’s. I love the incredible people I have been honored to work with, collaborate with, seeing where we are, having a voice in where we need to go, being able to ensure the impact for people with a loved experience is at the forefront of all work being done.
I am working on projects for driving with dementia, dementia and palliative care, and many others, working with the Vast team out of the University of Calgary, this is work being done on dementia, heart and stroke, and of course is near and dear to me with my vascular dementia.
In and around those things there is life to be lived, it is all part of my quality of life. Spending time with my family and friends, having time with my husband. Being out in Nature as much as possible.
All of these things keep my calendar full, but most of these things gs I do as and when my system allows. Some things take a lot of planning, ensuring I have given my system enough rest, nutrition etc to ensure I can manage my commitments. I have also learnt to ensure that when I am asked to speak or participate that I am provided all I need to help me be able to do it successfully.
On another note, and this is difficult for me to write about, but I feel I need too. I am Canadian 100%, I watched when Trump was in power a few years ago, at that time I likened him to a modern day Hitler, when he got back into power, I cried. Even though he is head of another country. I have many friends in the USA, I have spend a lot of time traveling there, I am afraid for them, I feel even though we are a neighbors, we cannot let our guard down, yes the tariffs have bern paused for a few weeks, but I don’t people for one second we can trust this man or anyone around him. While I believe everyone has the right to their opinions and beliefs, and I will always respect that, I am also not afraid to say that for the first time in almost 66 years of being on planet earth, on being a Canadian, have I ever felt the trepidation about the coming days and I don’t think that will leave until he is out of power, the threats he has placed us under deserve our attention. While we cannot live I fear we must pay attention. I will be scrutinizing every candidate in our own elections, I will not just vote be cause of a party affiliation, we have seen how people we use the cloaks to hide their own agendas behind, so I will be paying close attention. So while I hope we have all learnt the importance of ensuring we are manufacturing and producing goods and buying goods from home, going forward, hopefully while we fo that we can maintain friendships, and one day maybe feel like we can travel again to our closest neighbor. I am sad that having yo chose otherwise right now will impact our friends and neighbor, but times call for action and we must send a clear and string message…Canada is not for sale, Canada will not be bullied. Canada will remain strong and free.
Chrissy's Journey 