Go to Life in the fast lane--where's the on ramp?
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It takes amazing love and much patience to care for a child such as this. My mother did so with my youngest sister so I know the extent of the responsibility. Good post! 
posted by
dancin_grandma
on November 21, 2012 at 5:10 AM
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from controversyme
Wow, this is an amazing portrait of a woman. I can only imagine what her life must be like. I took care of both my mom and my g-ma at the end stages of their lives. That was the hardest thing I've ever done, but it pales in comparison to what this woman must be living, and the thing is, I'm sure she doesn't complain. I learned that we do what we have to do when we have to do it. That's it and that's all, there's no room or time for complaints, regrets, or wishing things were different. Thanks for sharing this Pat, it should give all of us a bit of inspiration. 
posted by
RamfamilyWritings
on November 20, 2012 at 8:18 PM
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Aint it true...
sometimes best to go with your second instinct
posted by
RamfamilyWritings
on November 20, 2012 at 7:01 PM
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These situations are unbearable as the Child's body grows into an adult
size. nursed enough to know life has blessed me because I never had to cope with this.
posted by
Kabu
on November 20, 2012 at 3:47 PM
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Re: JimmyA: what impression about her was wrong?
I guess I'd thought she was a just a carefree girl, no worries, just kicking back. We just never know when someone has their feet to the fire, do we? We see more heroes every day than we'd ever suspect. 
thanks for the question.
posted by
Pat_B
on November 20, 2012 at 3:40 PM
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So what was the initial impression about her that you now feel was wrong? There didn't seem to be anything overly negative about her, just that she was browsing and not buying. One just never knows . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 20, 2012 at 1:39 PM
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Pat
One cannot but admire that woman, as I have endless admiration for TAPS' Son!
I know that in this country we unfortunately do not make sufficent resources available to assist with such cases, and I suspect that applies to the US as well...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM
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There definitely is no reprieve from that type of situation. Even the few hours that Phil is in adult day care, Son has to be on call to drop what he is doing and go to get him if they cannot control any given situation.
That roll-board sounds like such a wonderful idea for your son. When I was six, I had a body cast for a couple of months after running out in front of a truck and getting hit. I had to lie in bed for all that time and couldn't even move. Boring!!!! I would have loved rolling around on my stomach in that thing.
posted by
TAPS.
on November 20, 2012 at 7:16 AM
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its one of those aha moments....i read once about a guy who grew his hair very long and the neighbors were upset and thought he was a druggie...well truth came out...he grew his hair long to shave it off and donate it for people who cancer...
posted by
Annicita
on November 20, 2012 at 6:53 AM
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And not many know, that's how it usually is, how many visit when one has a relation with dementia, not many. People try to avoid anything that is a bit abnormal. Animals try to kill. Sweet of you to listen to her pain. Pat.
posted by
C_C_T
on November 20, 2012 at 6:19 AM
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I join you in awe. Imagine the physical and emotional effort!
posted by
adnohr
on November 20, 2012 at 6:00 AM
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