A few days ago our family traveled down south to visit family.  I got to see my grandmother…who is more like a mother to me.  I spent my entire life growing up underneath her roof.  Right now my grandma is is a nursing home.  She has Alzheimer’s disease.  People always ask me, ” Does she still remember you?”  I believe that she does.  I also believe that Alzheimer’s is a very cruel disease.

The thing that I believe is particularly cruel right now is this…I get the impression hat Mama is trapped inside her own body and that she cannot communicate or express herself fully.  Let me give you an example of what I am trying to explain.  a Several years ago, when Mama first showed obvious signs of dementia, she would repeat herself over and over again.  We could talk for hours and hours and she would never tire of telling me that same stories over and over.  She would sort of get stuck…almost in an obsessive-compulsive type loop.  There also came a time when she would struggle to put together the words to tell me these stories….Because I had already heard the lessons, I could fill in most of the blanks for her, or say something that would jog or prompt a memory for her so that she could get back to teaching me again.

Well, right now it seems to be harder and harder for her to make body produce the right words.  She talks to me with her eyes and with a certain touch.  Sometimes ONE single word is packed full of meaning.

While I was down south, one of my family members questioned me and my motives for building this blog.  She questioned my aspirations for focusing my career upon helping children with Down syndrome to learn.  She accused me of being selfish for not using my degrees in engineering to work for someone Else’s corporation right now.

I have to say that I was a bit surprised by the accusations.  But I also have to say that they were also a blessing to me.

Here’s why..

I have made a shift in my life and in my way of thinking.  I have experienced some things that leave me with NO DOUBT about whose approval I am seeking….about whose path I am following…about who I seek to glorify and to honor.

I want to please God.

I believe that he gives me the desires of my heart.  One of my desires happens to be learning and helping others to learn.  He also gives me the talents to use to honor him.

I hope to make massive progress with taking away the fear and ignorance surrounding Down syndrome.  It is a shame that this fear and ignorance had lead to the slaughtering of at least 95% of people with Downs syndrome even before they are born.

I hope to help transform that fear and ignorance into acceptance and victory.

Many of the differences regarding folks with Down syndrome are displayed in their brains.  I am hopeful that unlocking these mysteries will also unlock the mysteries of Alzheimer’s.

So I will count my family visits as a blessings…wonderful blessings.

I hope that you will do the same.

DAvietteandDanielle