Thoughts On...
Dementia / Alzheimer's - Living Differently
with Lorna LeBrun

With the passage of time often come the challenges of an aging loved one. How we deal with or move through that challenge not only determines the outcomes for the one in need of support , but also for the one(s) providing that support. It is possible to be present, loving and deeply caring without losing yourself to the circumstances of the people you care about. This is the story of one woman's journey as she becomes the living memory of her partner without losing touch with her own wants and needs.

Lorna LeBrun has allowed a WEL-Systems® perspective to profoundly influence the way she moves through her world. At the age of 84, her open mind and curious nature continue to coax her into finding ways to live her life with respect, integrity and generosity of spirit - not always an easy task when faced with a life-partner with dementia.

Far too often, the demands of a dementia claim the quailty of life of both the person afflicted as well as those who love him/her. Long days spent in the presence of one who has no sense of themselves as we know them, over time can become the precursor to a shortened life expectancy and an even deeper longing for the past. And yet, without a stong link to the present, the future can disappear into a cycle of hopelessness and despair.

Lorna's journey spans 25 years, from the intial evidence of a decline in capacity to the ultimate diagnosis and subsequent decision to live separate from her partner of more than 60 years. Not an easy decision, it is the one that made it possible for both she and her husband to have lives that sustained them individually while allowing them to maintain the bonds of a deeper connection.

Mindful that there is no right/wrong, good/bad way to engage, this exploration will encourage you to find the way that works best for you. As you or someone you love faces this challenge in their lives, consider the possibility that the most effective way to move forward will be the one of our own design. Lorna's journey is shared in the hopes of helping you carve out your own path.

To contact Lorna, use her email ID: LornaLeBrun@Live.ca