On Easter Sunday the Chicago Blackhawks shellacked the Red Wings in Detroit, spoiling the 85th birthday party for the greatest Wing ever, Gordie Howe. It's not difficult to argue that Howe was one of the two or three greatest players to lace up the skates in the National Hockey League and it was nice that he was honoured in this way.
Sadly, Howe is suffering from dementia and this may be the last time he is able to take part in this sort of celebration. Before the game he signed autographs and one of his sons conceded that while signing events have kept his dad's mind active, they are now more confusing for him that helpful. With so many living with dementia and Alzheimer's, there is the slow disappearance from public life and family activity until the word comes that the individual has died. Life with dementia is just unfair even for those who once experienced greatness in their fields of endeavour.
As I pack up my books to move on from St. Paul's I notice that I have several on the subject of dementia, more that I realized. Hmm. This is a significant reality in pastoral care and as I have written before we have some wonderful volunteer visitors who gently support both those with dementia and their families. This is a more pronounced challenge in mainline churches because we have a significant number of older people compared to some of the start-up congregations. We get stretched across three and even four generations in our ministry, and the temptation is to let our elderly members with dementia fade away.
I am confident that St. Paul's will sustain it's meaningful ministry to those of our Christian family who live with dementia.
Thoughts?
This is such a shame, and I am hopeful that the progress made in research into the causes of dementia and Alzheimer's disease result in breakthroughs soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm also reminded just now of Ronald Reagan's last note to the American people in the fall of 1994, and how he and his family dealt with his condition with such dignity: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/reagan-alzheimers/
God bless everyone who provides care to those suffering with this disease. You're certainly models of strength and compassion.