JOAN’S BLOG – THURSDAY, October 4, 2007 – OUR MEETING WITH RICHARD TAYLOR, Ph.d. In line with my Blog on traveling with an AD spouse, Richard related a story of his experience in flying to this conference. (He is able to lecture around the country because of the large amount of caregiving support he receives from his wife, children, and conference organizers). In this case, he was in the security line, and heard his daughter yell, “Dad, STOP IT!” He was shocked because his daughter had never yelled at him, and he was perplexed as to what he was doing that would precipitate such anger in her. When they were sitting on the plane, he asked her what he had done that upset her so much. He was surprised to hear that he had been causing quite a disturbance, complaining loudly, and arguing with airport security because the line was progressing so slowly. In his AD afflicted mind, he was not doing anything out of the ordinary. It was a lesson to me, and all of us, as to how our spouses’ AD plaque entangled minds work. They do not think their behavior is irrational, which would explain why it is impossible to argue with them about it. We spoke with him afterwards. Both Sid and my friend’s husband told him how much it helped them to hear their own words and feelings spoken. Richard thanked them profusely, and told them how grateful he was to hear that, because it kept him going. TOMORROW: YOUR SPOUSE BEHAVES LIKE A CHILD – HOW DO YOU RELATE TO THEM AS AN ADULT? Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com
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