In Australia alone, there are over 342,000 people living with Dementia.
Dementia is the second leading cause of death in our country, and 244 people are diagnosed with the disease each day, not to mention the very real and devastating effects of the disease on an individuals friends and family.
Reddit user Wuillermania had no idea that by giving a little insight into her families private struggle with Alzheimer’s, one picture would bring so many people together.
Wuillermania posted the photo of to Reddit after she found a bag of odds and ends her mother had crocheted after she got sick. At the time of taking the photo.
“It has been years since she was able to do this, and while I knew how her ability declined, it was really the first time I looked at it all together,” Wuillermania reveals.
“I was compelled to lay them out in a way that tracked the progression and take the photo. I admit that at the time, it was overwhelming for me, but I truly didn’t expect it would resonate with people the way it did.
“I will never get over having my mother taken away, but at this stage, I want to do whatever I can to teach people about this disease and hopefully let someone else who’s going through this know they’re not alone.”
As Wuillermania’s Mother’s conditioned worsened, the harder it was to care for her. She and her father had to move her mother into a home where she can get full-time care.
She’s still there now, and it’s unquestionably tough on the Reddit user and her other family members.
“Her hospice care is in-home. She has been at home throughout the duration of her disease.
“That being said, I don’t think people who need to resort to out-of-home care should be shamed if they’re not able to provide that support at home.”
Wuillermania’s original Reddit photo.
“I cannot properly express how exhausting and time extensive and physically/mentally draining providing this level of care can be. On top of that, it can be financially debilitating, and for many, it is the only option.”
And if this hasn’t brought you to tears, don’t worry, this next part will hit you right in the feelings.
“I can’t call my mom up anymore and get her advice on how to properly wash something or gossip about something that happened I thought she’d appreciate, but I’m still learning things from her. “
“She’s taught me what devotion and loyalty are. She’s taught me what it means to love unconditionally, what ‘through sickness and in health’ can entail.
“I truly wouldn’t wish this on anyone and would do anything to reverse what’s happened, but I also can’t say I haven’t become a better, more compassionate person with a deeper love for her and the rest of my family for sticking by her.”
In response to the overwhelming response to her story, Wuillermania asks others to donate to charities and organisation working to fight against the disease such as Dementia Australia.
Our thoughts are with Wuillermania and her family at this difficult time.
