I visited Mike last week. He was one of my first clients to join us for the dementia golf days in Lincoln. Mike’s wife had to make the difficult decision to move him into full time care. The symptoms of his Parkinson’s & dementia became too challenging for him to live at home.
We kept my visit secret as we wanted to surprise Mike. When I arrived he was sat comfortably in the living room. Within a few moments he recognised me and we began catching up on golf, life and the universe. It was wonderful to see his face light up and to listen to his favourite golf tales once again.
I took Mike a golf ball with his initials on it – and a special message “To My Golfing Buddy”.
It was wonderful to know that the priceless moments we shared on the golf course had not been taken away by the ravages of dementia & Parkinson’s. It also proves how favourite memories can spark people back to life…
This is where the really inspirational part of the story begins.. This is the message I received the following day from Mike’s wife…
Dear Anthony
This shows that even when playing careers stop – special memories live long in the mind – not even dementia can take these priceless moments from us.
When the weather improves we’ll get Mike back to the place he loves – his local golf course…