Linda's Poem
It's In The Name
Young onset dementia
What does it really mean?
How old is young in any case
‘Old’ is how dementia’s seen.
Dementia or Depression?
Aren’t they both the same?
Not sure that I understand
Something wrong inside the brain?
Strange signs and symptoms
Often even doctors fail to spot
Stress, bereavement, mental health
Misdiagnosis occurs a lot.
What chance then has Joe Public
To recognise the trouble
He looks completely normal
It’s hard to fathom out his struggle
Getting lost, loosing keys
Not necessarily the case
Difficulty doing things
More likely in its place
Understanding, speech and time
Sometimes is a factor
Change in personality
Another odd distractor
Is Alzheimer’s the same thing?
People often say
The umbrella of dementia
A concept to portray .
Getting across the message
These folk are working age
And everyone is different
Depends on type and stage
Usually rarer
There are many different kinds
Depending on where the damage is
There are different signs.
The brain a multi complex organ
Makes us who we are
When parts of it are damaged
It leaves more than a scar.
Progressive, it can not yet be cured
The journey’s often long.
Slowly the brain simply shrinks away
But the body still stays strong.
Often there are children
And mortgages to pay
Spouses turn to Carer’s
Expectations drain away.
Young onset dementia I’m afraid
Doesn’t get great recognition
But I will keep on fighting hard
Increasing awareness of this condition.