| It is June 30, 2009 and in 7 months, the eyes of | | | | different in 7 months? |
| the world will be focused on Vancouver, Canada, | | | | My heart and soul rests with Dave and the family. |
| for the 2010 Winter Olympics. My dream for the | | | | We don't know what our future holds and how |
| past 28 years has been to be part of this | | | | much quality time is left. Last week when I was |
| magnificent event--not as an athlete, but as part | | | | out in the garden, smelling the freshly opened |
| of the volunteer medical team. I have spent | | | | flowers, my decision finally came from within. I |
| hundreds of hours travelling the world with our | | | | have decided that working with our athletes for |
| national and elite athletes preparing for my biggest | | | | 4-5 weeks at the Olympics is too high a price to |
| goal-the Olympics. My career as a Sport | | | | pay for our precious time together. Honestly? I |
| Physiotherapist is fantastic and extremely | | | | feel sad, but there are no tears. It feels |
| rewarding. I still love it after all these years--it was | | | | wonderful to be reaching a place of inner peace |
| definitely the path I was meant to be on. I have | | | | with our new life with dementia. |
| worked with the National Water Ski team for 9 | | | | Living with dementia has been the 'tipping' point in |
| years and have been selected to 3 Canadian | | | | my life--in a good way. I have learned to search |
| Medical teams, traveling to countries such as | | | | deep inside for answers on how to live life better |
| China, Turkey, Italy and Chile. | | | | than before and what my next step should be. I |
| My longtime dream is so close, but is it really? | | | | am finding joy and laughter in the little things Dave |
| You see life has thrown me a bit of a curve ball | | | | says or does because he can find joy and |
| and I am in the process of searching deep inside | | | | laughter in his life. Every time Dave gives me one |
| for the answer to my question--do I continue | | | | of his genuine, innocent smiles, it reminds me of a |
| walking through the door to my Olympic dream? | | | | child under the age of 6 or an adult over 80. I am |
| Two years ago my husband, Dave, who had just | | | | living with someone who is shedding his social |
| turned 57, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal | | | | layers and is the 'real deal'. |
| dementia. I am amazed at how quickly my | | | | Last week I received notice that I am shortlisted |
| priorities and purpose in life have changed. Instead | | | | for the Olympic host medical team. I have made |
| of travelling with athletes, I am spending more | | | | myself available for 1 week, not 4 or 5. I am |
| time at home with Dave and our 2 grown | | | | excited, but it is now in the hands of the higher |
| children, learning ways to enrich our lives, despite | | | | powers whether it is best for me to go. If my |
| our latest challenge. | | | | dream of going to the Olympics is meant to be, I |
| Dementia is unpredictable and every day brings | | | | will be thrilled. If not, I will be sitting with my |
| surprises. There is no way of knowing how Dave | | | | husband in the comforts of our home watching |
| will be doing tomorrow, not to mention 7 months | | | | the Olympics on TV--knowing that life is turning |
| from now. Dave is able to drive--but for how | | | | out just the way it is supposed to. Life is |
| much longer? He makes simple meals like toast | | | | becoming simpler and more peaceful. I never |
| and jam for breakfast, crackers and cheese for | | | | imagined that closing the door to my Olympic |
| lunch--what about dinners? Dave showers and | | | | dream would open a richer, more joyous one! |
| changes his clothes when reminded--will that be | | | | |