Alzheimer's | Teen Ink

Alzheimer's

September 9, 2012
By Becky_Star_101 BRONZE, Ongar, Other
Becky_Star_101 BRONZE, Ongar, Other
1 article 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
'To understand me, you have to meet me and be around me. And then only if I'm in a good mood - don't meet me in a bad mood' - Avril Lavigne


Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure, and it worsens as it progresses. It eventually leads to death. At the age of 67 my grandfather got it and life as I knew it was never the same again. The cause was unknown I was only 11 but I knew inside that nothing would be the same again. My grandfather was my support, and my hope. When I was little I’d dance around the house singing, and then everyone would say I was a natural. But what no one else but my grandfather said was, ‘Dream big, you’ll find yourself getting there.’ He’d sing me ‘I’ll be there’ by the Rembrandts. But in his final few months he wasn’t like that…

I’d visit him and he wouldn’t know who I was. I’d explain it to him, and sometimes he’d believe me other times he wouldn’t. When we found out he had Alzheimer’s my parents had taken me to one side and explained what it was. I cried myself to sleep that night, and I practically begged the hospital to try and find a cure. But of course people were trying before my grandfather was even diagnosed. He died. August 2010. My friends understood but if I had had Shannon Norris as my bff, I would have recovered quicker.

I spent the time stuffing my face with chocolate and sweets. I was young. I was depressed. I even self-harmed. I sliced into the top of my arm with a knife. It bled a little, and I had a scar. But soon my parents took me to see a physiatrist. I recovered slowly and within a year I was almost back to normal. But there’s still a hole in my heart. And to this day my new saying has become, ‘Dream big, you’ll find yourself getting there…’


The author's comments:
This is something I've been wanting to express about myself for ever. Finally I've found the words, and I hope you understand what it means to me.

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This article has 3 comments.


on Sep. 24 2012 at 2:52 am
Vagabond SILVER, New Delhi, Other
8 articles 0 photos 107 comments

Favorite Quote:
Every end is a new beginning;<br /> What a caterpillar calls an end the rest of the world calls a butterfly;<br /> &quot;Begining are normally sacary endings are normally sad,<br /> it&#039;s in the middle which makes life worth living&quot;

i'm so glad you're fine!!
LOVED YOUR WORK

on Sep. 11 2012 at 11:59 am
Loco_Coco_Moco_999, Ohar, Other
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
Awww.... So sorry for ya, Becky. Bt

on Sep. 11 2012 at 10:37 am
ShannonLil99 GOLD, Ongar, Other
10 articles 1 photo 47 comments

Favorite Quote:
&#039;Why should I care what other people think of me? I am who I am. And who I wanna be.&#039; <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> - Avril Lavigne

Ah, sweet. Respect! ;) x