A Gift in a Strange Package
By Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks
I have to admit caring for my Mother with dementia was not on my bucket list. In fact, the possibility never crossed my mind. Dementia crept into our lives slowly. Its visits were spontaneous and behavior changes subtle, giving me the perfect excuse to live in denial.
Mom’s dementia symptoms began our thirty-year journey down the yellow brick road. We were off to see the Wizard. Yet along the way, I found I had the answers I needed: acceptance, forgiveness, compassion and unconditional love. All were tools my Mother taught me growing up. I also needed to acknowledge and embrace our new lives. You see, dementia was not just my Mother’s disease. It was “our disease,” hers, mine and everyone she encountered. I found each of us has a choice on how we are going to live with dementia.
Will it Be a Gift or a Disaster in Your Life?
Through illness, I was taught life lessons I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. The beauty of each lesson can’t be put into words, but each is embedded in my heart and my soul. Each is a memory of magnificent proportion. Each was brought forth by a simple question I would ask myself.
“What’s the Lesson?”
Each lesson was wrapped in a love deeper than I previously knew. By asking this simple question when I felt pushed up against a wall, simple answers came.
Answers Changed My Career and My Life
I felt strongly that old ways of caring and serving those with dementia weren’t working, and for me, working in a broken system wasn’t an option. So, in 2009, Alzheimer’s Speaks was born. My goal was to raise all voices, share knowledge and empower all to shift our dementia care culture from crisis to comfort.
Today, we are an advocacy group and media outlet making an international impact. We provide education and support for those dealing with all forms of dementias. Two of our educational platforms are: Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio, believed to be the first program dedicated to dementia in the world, and a webinar series called “Dementia Chats™”, whose experts are those diagnosed with some form of dementia.
Maria Shriver honored La Bey as an “Architect of Change” for Humanity.
Named the “#1 Influencer Online for Alzheimer’s” by Sharecare and Dr. Oz
People kindly refer to me as the spark igniting the first Dementia Friendly Community in the United States and for helping expand the UK’s Memory Café concept in America.
There is nothing like finding your purpose and passion in life which allows you to help others. This fall we are setting sail with a Dementia Friendly Symposium and Cruise which will be an exceptional experience as we live gracefully together with dementia.
Makers of the Hollywood film, “His Neighbor Phil,” consulted with me to design a marketing plan. I was thrilled they were willing to try something new. The response has been remarkable as I have taken the film around the country doing talk backs. The film has proven its extraordinary ability to connect with audiences, remove stigmas and give hope.
As for the future, I will continue to keynote, speak, train, write, advocate, collaborate and push innovation forward developing new delivery systems and attitudes towards those living with and dealing with dementia.
For additional information, resources, or to be a featured guest or sponsor visit: www.AlzheimersSpeaks.com
4 Responses
Loved talking with you yesterday, Lori! Thank you so much for all you do!!
It truly is a pleasure to meet you, Lori.
Your mum gave to you – as all people with dementia give to us – the knowledge to make this world a better place. I see you as “the lady who gave the world her mother’s most precious gifts”. You have done and are still doing so much to improve the lives of all of us who meet dementia – thank you Lori!
I really like reading through an article that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!