My
Dad
By
Craig Mitchell
Some
people think my father is funny. Some people think that
he is stupid, and some people think that he is just a
nuisance. But, he is my dad. My dad is 44 years old.
He looks healthy, but he has a disease called Alzheimer's disease and his brain cells are dying. Most people with
this disease are old enough to be a grandparent but people
in their 30s are now being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Dad's
personality has changed. He does strange things now that
he would never do when he was well. He doesn't spend
time with me anymore. He doesn't play catch, or read
books, or even make decisions anymore. I have to ask
my mom for everything.
Dad
doesn't remember things like he used to. He doesn't remember
when I was born, when he got married and he doesn't even
remember what he did yesterday. He gets his words mixed
up and uses them in the wrong places.
My
father is getting worse and some day I know that he will
need more care. Some day he will not even know who I
am.
It
makes me angry and hurts when people make fun of him.
I get angry at him too, but he is still my dad.
© Craig
Mitchell 1995
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