Senior Care Advocate

Things happen for reasons that we may never know, nor understand. On February 4, 2014, my sister, Molly, had a stroke. It left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to care for herself. Having been a fairly active, self-motivated, business owner, she kept an amazingly positive attitude for quite some time in the beginning. Losing most of one’s abilities will wear anyone down from time to time. Although there was some loss of cognitive ability, she has maintained a firm grasp on the here and now.

It took some time for recovery to take effect – nearly twelve months for sure. Her children, however, were less than prepared for their mother being stripped away so suddenly from them as the matriarch of the family. The events that have taken place since that fateful night will take some time to come out. Suffice it to say that I have learned many things about family units and the lessons that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Thankfully, I was raised believing that the family works together and protects each other from outside threats. I think that was further ingrained into me by the military. Esprit de corps and all that.

My sister called it “Circling the wagons”. When I discovered that my sister was not receiving the proper care that she deserved, I found it necessary to get involved to protect her rights and property,

This is the first post entry regarding what I have learned, expect to learn, and how I can benefit my future by what I am learning about the aging process and how seniors are being treated in our present society.

Durham Art Festival

Durham is a very liberal university city, as well as the heart of old tobacco families. Duke University is internationally famous for medical and many other fields of study. I remember wanting to apply to med school there until I found it was less expensive in Canada.\r\n\r\nHere are some shots of wandering around downtown during a recent art festival. It was so much fun and I got to spend time with Mary, who showed me around town.

    Durham Art Fest Mary

Fall at Hyco

The fall months in North Carolina are a cacophony of changes in colour and sound. Today is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the US. This is one of the days that Veterans fight for, and I am grateful for the freedom to enjoy it.\r\n\r\nIMGP471720141109_105616\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHyco Nov 11 2014\r\n\r\nThis is a 6am B&W of Hyco Lake with fog.\r\n\r\nIMGP4734

Berlin Wall Came Down 25 Yrs Ago

I was stationed in Berlin for over two years. I was there to protect the freedom of Berlin.

While in Berlin, I began taking pictures, after being influenced by Gary Bolstad, who was, and is, quite a magnificent photography buff. Black & White film was all I could afford to develop in the military facility darkroom. I came upon the remnants of a fire in a downtown night club. It took quite some time in the dark room to get the large photograph to get the exact exposure to bring it alive. I liked this photo. The next was taken in a park in downtown Berlin. I watched a father and son spend some time together and took some shots. The father noticed and ask if I could sell him copies. I gave him three shots of him and his son. I thought this was rather pensive.

 

This picture was taken in E.Berlin in a back street.

 

Sister Molly Story Telling About Mom

On Holloween 2014, I sat with my sister, prior to the stroke that robbed her of her life from that moment on. Her grandchildren were manning the beggars’ night visitors, while we talked. I asked her about mom’s early childhood and recorded her answer. I am so glad I did, and then to add to my site for the family to enjoy and learn from. Love you to the moon and back, my big sister.