Comments for Agnostic, Maybe

Comment on Scene Missing by Julanna

Julanna — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:38:43 +0000

I was teaching seniors to use computers a few years ago and one of mine dropped out because she had RSI. Same series of reactions. Talked to her about setting up the puter and work space ergonomically and why I bring up these issues in every class but she said it really wasn’t going to work. She was very frustrated. We spent a little while comparing stories (my sister has disabling RSI) with me just being supportive and consoling. She left, I reminded her if she changed her mind she could come back and we’d look at ergonomics again. I didn’t see her again.

Comment on Scene Missing by The Rodent

The Rodent — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:52:35 +0000

Thanks for posting this touching incident… Hope your guy comes back.

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Thu, 16 May 2013 12:04:59 +0000

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Thu, 16 May 2013 05:04:11 +0000

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Comment on Scene Missing by Andy

Andy — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:38:54 +0000

Thank you, Kate. I know what dementia looks like up close and he doesn’t have it (not that I’m a doctor, but I do have some experience here). But, yes, the connection between learning and memory wasn’t happening. I hope he looks into his options so as to find something that will give him an answer, even if it’s not a good one.

Part of me was reminded of times early on when I was learning to dance and I’d hit a learning wall; I just couldn’t add incorporate anything new at a certain point. Over time, I’ve expanded my ability to memorize steps but it took lots of time and practice.

Comment on Scene Missing by Andy

Andy — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:32:19 +0000

My grandmothers had dementia, but both my grandfathers were sharp as a tack till the day they died. So, there’s hope for me but I know it goes through my parent’s mind all the time. If not, then yes, the bus.

Comment on Scene Missing by Andy

Andy — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:29:48 +0000

Thank you!

Comment on Scene Missing by Andy

Andy — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:29:05 +0000

That’s an amazing story. You’re awesome for taking that step so that they could do it.

Comment on Scene Missing by Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:25:32 +0000

I haven’t had this specific experience, but recognize this type of scenarios with family members,so I feel heartwrenching empathy. And, in my previous library, we had at least two individuals with serious dementia who would “escape” from their home and come to basically stand in the library. The staff were unbelievably tender with these men and figured out how to contact their wives (who were understandably agitated).
When we work with the public, we have people with dementia, mental issues, those who are impaired by alcohol or drugs, those who are depressed, those who are sad, those who are mad. I once had a woman who was clinically depressed and whose therapist told her to come to a library and get a self-help book (or so she said). Every single danged book I recommend, she rejected (no surprise there).
But, dementia is, to me, can be the saddest. Some of what we may say will be retained; some may not. We can try to make accommodations (like recording), but they know (at least at some point) that eventually that won’t work.

Comment on Scene Missing by Christine Sharbrough

Christine Sharbrough — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:49:50 +0000

I had a patron for whom this was also a problem after his stroke. He brought in a mini tape recorder and recorded our sessions so he could listen to it again and again. He found it very helpful. Of course you have to talk very specifically about things : “at the top right of the screen there is an X, use the mouse and put the arrow over it to close the program.” Etc.

He did come back again and again and we taped many a tutorial for him.