I remember going home to an empty house to try to digest my doctor's news, "You have vascular dementia." I thought to myself, I'm only 55 and I'm already a widow, the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But during my career working in Dementia Care, my co-workers and I had always felt that getting any type of dementia diagnosis would be the worst news a person could receive. Having witnessed the progression in so many people, I knew being a widow was nothing compared to what I was going to have to face. I soon discovered those past experiences would, in fact, help me forge through the coming losses.The diagnosis itself was not the worst of it, finding no help or resources was. I had to try to figure out 'what's next' on my own. I got my affairs in order, and came to terms with the fact that my career and the life I had known both were gone. I gave up my home, my car, my ability to drive, my hopes, and my dreams. Yet a stubborn streak remained in me. I decided, 'I'm not done yet,' and made it my new motto. Then I set out to find help, to find my new self. My search led me to Dementia Alliance International. At DAI, I found hope and purpose; this was life-changing and life-saving. I stepped onto a path of a whole new understanding of dementia, advocating, speaking engagements, and learning that life can be beautiful, even with dementia.
Christine Thelker is 60 years old and has been living with Dementia since the age of 55. She lives in Vernon BC, Canada and spends her time advocating, writing and visiting with her family and friends. She especially enjoys her time with her little dog, Phoebe. Christine loves to walk, be close to the water and enjoys gardening. She is well-known for her positive attitude and her sense of humor. She loves to smile. Christine is proving that living well after a dementia diagnosis is possible.
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It is with a full heart and much admiration that I write this review for Christine Thelker’s first book, “For This I am Grateful”.
In her book Christine has “bared her soul”, allowed the world into her life, her private life; this level of intimate privacy, even with so much social media, is rarely heard of and never viewed. Christine has captured her journey, thus far, living with Dementia and I am forever grateful. Christine’s words will allow you, the reader, into the all too common and vastly unknown / vastly understood/ vastly underestimated life of a person living with Dementia; Christine will help you understand the silent struggles, the moments of “putting on a game face”, and the immense solitude that often surrounds this fatal disease. Christine shares her up’s and downs, her tears and her ever-present laughter……even when days are bad. I too live with Dementia; I am an artist, a writer and a good friend. I met Christine through Dementia Alliance International, she was the first person to reach out to me and we became fast friends. Although we live clear across the country from each other, the distance does not deter us from keeping close.
Christine is an avid Advocate for persons living with Dementia and takes great pride in educating the world about this disease, she is a warrior and her book reflects the determination she maintains. This book should be read by every professional associated with this disease; Christine’s words should be taken in a very literal sense and resonate within those professionals, making it clear there is more to living with this disease, I believe they can learn a lot about the human side of this disease; we, those living with this fatal illness, are all still human. I have read Christine’s book twice, I encourage you to read it at least once.
Thank you so much for writing this book, I love you my dear friend Christine, Jan xo
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