JOAN’S BLOG – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 – JOAN, SID, AND THE DOCUMENTARY

For those of you who are not aware, Sid and I agreed to take part in a documentary about Alzheimer’s Disease and marriage. My reason for doing so is to do my part to educate the public on the true nature of Alzheimer’s Disease, its destructive effects on marriages, and the early personality changes before a diagnosis is known, that confuse, hurt, and anger the well spouse to the brink of divorce.

As is the nature of these stories, the reporter will make a series of home visits, taping our typical daily routine and conversations. She will supplement the video with interviews of me, Sid, and maybe the two of us together. She will decide on a “theme” for the project, incorporate our segments with those of other caregivers, and then edit the whole thing down to whatever air time and print space she is allowed.

I have no concern about the interviews, because I know each of us will speak honestly from the heart. But really, there is nothing quite like having a photo-journalist follow you around in your own home all day to make you realize what a boring life you lead. We dragged the patio furniture from the living room BACK out onto the patio AGAIN, as the storms seem to have missed us. I made lunch. She watched me do some computer work. She asked me a few very insightful questions. Sid went outside to talk to the property manager about some home owner’s issues, and that was about it. Not very exciting.

However, I am quite interested in hearing her view, as an outsider, on the dynamics of the relationship Sid and I have. While the camera was on, Sid and I had a long conversation at lunch about our feelings concerning his disease, how it has impacted our lives, how he feels about it, how I feel about it. He was chomping at the bit to give a long dissertation on the injustice of him losing his driving, but he thought I would get upset, so he kept quiet. I think it is important that he express his feelings honestly, so I told him to say whatever was on his mind the next time. (Of course, when “next time” comes, I’ll have to remind him, because he will forget I said it.)

Click the following links to view videos of our members who have participated in similar news stories:

Trish and Bob
Chuck

If anyone else has done something similar to this, and would like our members to see the video, please e-mail me the links.

©Copyright 2008 Joan Gershman

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