"Look at grandpa!" laughed Molly, "He put his pants on backwards! And I think they are wet too!"

"Shhh!" said mother quietly as she gently pulled her twelve year old daughter aside.

"Why does grandpa do funny things sometimes, mom?" asked Molly. Mother let out a sigh, wiped her hands off on her apron, and knelt beside her youngest child.

"Molly dear, I know you don't fully understand what Alzheimer's disease is, but it's something that older people occasionally get, and it sometimes causes them to be a little confused. That's why grandpa came to live with us; because he was sometimes forgetting to turn the stove off, and to take his medicine."

Just as Molly was about to respond, there came a big chuckle from the corner of the room. Molly's eldest brother, Freddie, who was a bit of a smart-aleck, had been hiding by the china cabinet and taking in the whole conversation.

"What mom's trying to tell you, Molly," quipped Freddie, "is that grandpa is nuts, so don't pay him no attention!"Although mother was angry at Freddie's rude comment, more than anything, she was saddened.

As tears rolled down her cheeks, she sternly said, "Freddie, that is my FATHER, and I will not have you talk to or about him in such a disrespectful or belittling way. Sometimes grandpa might not be fully aware of what he is doing or saying, but more often than not, he DOES know, and gets upset that he is having a hard time doing the things that used to come easy to him. Just because he has some dementia does not mean he no longer has feelings!"

Freddie's head now hung low. It was obvious he regretted his thoughtless remark.Mother dabbed her eye with a tissue and continued, "Freddie, I want you to go to your room, and talk to God about this."Without so much as a word, Freddie shuffled away, his little sister following.

Later in the afternoon, both Molly and Freddie walked down the stairs in to the kitchen where mother stood over the sink washing dishes. In his hand was a piece of paper.

"I prayed over the matter, mom, and I believe God showed me what I need to do," he said matter-of-factly.

"Oh?" said mother, "And what's that? Say sorry?"

"Well, that, yes, but more importantly, I believe God wants me to share this Alzheimer's prayer Molly and I wrote with other families too," Freddie continued as he fumbled with the piece of paper in his hand.

Mother turned around, wiped her hands on her apron, smiled, and replied,
"Can I hear what you wrote?"Freddie cleared his throat, straitened his posture, and read:

An Alzheimer's Prayer

Dear God, please help my family, friends and care-givers see me for who I always was, and not for what this disease has taken from me.

Help them to see that I want to be treated just like they do; with courtesy, respect and sensitivity.

Remind them, God, that although I may sometimes get confused, even act irrationally, these things can scare, frustrate and sadden me as much as it does them.

I don't want to be treated like a misbehaving child. Let them know that the best thing they can do during these times is to take my hand lovingly and hold it or give me a warm hug, for shows of love are universally understood.

Help my visitors to understand how grateful and appreciative I am when they come and spend time with me. I don't need presents, just the precious gift of love. And just because I may forget their name doesn't mean the love I have for them in my heart has changed. I feel it, and am comforted and warmed when I hear their voice, see their smile, or feel their loving embrace.

Let them know, God, that I don't like this predicament any more than they do, and that even though my needs are now different, I still want to be included in their lives because, if I lose my family and those dearest to me, then so too will go my will to go on.

I can deal with this disease because I have to, but I just need them to be a little more patient with me; a little more kind.

Lastly, help them, God, so we can get through this together. (copyright (c) Melanie Schurr 2007)

As he finished, Freddie looked up, only to find mother sobbing; no longer tears of sadness, but joy and pride!

"Oh Freddie! Molly! That is beautiful, and it is a message that I hope everyone who has a loved one touched by dementia will hear!" exclaimed mother as tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

--

Christ has told us to love one another, and treat each other as we would wish to be treated. As such, let us place His message into our hearts, and carry it out in to the world. His love will not only make a difference in how we view and relate to Alzheimer's patients, but also has the ability to transform lives, and soften even the most hardened hearts.

Invite love in.

Invite God in.

Change your life.

Change the world.

samantha :)

A few rules:
1. All are welcome, especially newcomers :D
2. Drop us a tag & enjoy your time here! (:
3. MAKE SOME NOISE!



plhers@yahoo.com.sg

To get a map of our location, click here to learn more about Christ and christianity, go here


Prinsep Lighthouse (PLH) is the youth ministry of Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. It’s meant for all youths aged 13-18 years old to come together every Sunday for a fellowship as well as to worship God and learn more about Him.PLH is on every Sunday from 11am to 12.45pm. On usual Sundays, we have worship time from 11-11.30am. During worship, we sing songs of praise to God.

After which the youths will break up into their respective groups to do a Bible Study for the rest of the time there. These Bible Studies are led by Mentors, who are really nice and fun people and are very knowledgeable and helpful as well. While doing Bible Studies, we share about our life too! Our joy, our pride, our problems, our challenges..and through this, we make loads of great friends!!




.WORLD PEACE
.Lighthouse new members, all are welcome!
.Missions training
.Project Revival







Free Counter
JANUARY
4th; Dg orientation
11th; Botanics outing! :)
18th; PLH!
25th; NO PLH =( (cny)



Our photobucket!
Amanda
Andrea
Angelina
Annabelle
Athelia
Becky
Bernice
Christel
Daphne
David
Erica
Esean
Gabriel
GraceF
GraceT
Hannah
Huixian
Issac
Izack
JonathanF
Joseph
Kara
Liesl
Luke
Marie
MichelleG
Raemiguel
Ruby
TimothyG
TimothyL
Weile
Yiying
Yiren



SynodYOUTH
GLORYyouth
KATONGyouth



June 2007. July 2007. August 2007. September 2007. October 2007. November 2007. December 2007. January 2008. February 2008. March 2008. April 2008. May 2008. June 2008. July 2008. August 2008. September 2008. October 2008. November 2008. December 2008. January 2009. March 2009. April 2009. May 2009. June 2009. July 2009. August 2009. September 2009. October 2009. November 2009.


God, for always being there for us. (:
Concept idea` timothy &ekping.
Concept illustrator` misachi.
andd. Every PLHER for supporting this blog, encouraging, and BEING a PLHER and a CHILD OF GOD!!!