Guest blog from Norman McNamara - Co-founder of Purple Angels.
'Norrms', as he is known to his family and friends, was diagnosed with dementia aged 44, and has done incredible work to raise awareness of what it's like to live with dementia.
Well, it’s that time of year again when my young grandchildren ask me what I want for Christmas, the conversation goes something like this…….
Hiya Grandad, what do you want for Christmas this year?
I reply “a memory stick, please!!
They are all very well aware of my memory problems and always say “OH Grandad! You asked for that last year."
“ I know I did, and I still remember all your names so it must gave worked, so can I have another one, please??"
At this point, I would like to say it’s always good to laugh with us and not at us as we still enjoy a laugh as much as anybody else does.
The older ones walk away, still laughing and shaking their heads. The younger ones still sit there wondering how all this works.
Now, a little-known fact is, I am a HUGE SCI-FI fan and the thought of a memory stick being inserted at the bottom of my head in a slot that brings up all my happy memories forever and a day is, admittedly, like something I have seen is Star Wars.
But do you know what? It’s not as far-fetched as you think!
You see, memories have always existed, and so, now, do memory sticks, so ……….
Imagine your computer/laptop is your brain and you have saved so many happy memories onto a simple memory stick.
Pictures, photos, music, holidays, marriages, nights out, days on the beach, christenings birthdays, I could go on,
and when you place that memory stick into the computer / your brain and show the person with dementia all these happy times it doesn’t seem that far-fetched does it, and without the surgery LOL, so you see, modern technology and the brain (The oldest tech in the world), can work together and you can make someone’s Christmas so very special this year, or any year, or any month just by doing this.
When the person with dementia is sitting in the house surrounded by their loving family and friends on Christmas day and wondering who these people are and what all the fuss is about, confused and maybe a little frightened, by showing the memoirs on a laptop or computer. you can help them remember the good times and also hopefully help them remember some people who are even in the room on that day, how cool is that ?
Please remember
A Memory Stick Is Not Just For Christmas
HOPE THIS HELPS
Merry Christmas to all
Norrms xx
16th Dec 2022
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