Welcome to Season 3, Episode 5 of "Living Our Best with Memory Loss"! In this powerful episode, hosts Bob, Lori, Denis, and SuAnne are joined by the inspiring Sam and Susan Simon.
Sam and Susan share their remarkable journey, beginning with Susan's breast cancer diagnosis in 2000. Sam, her caregiver, channeled his experiences into a one-man show, navigating the emotional complexities of her illness. Defying initial prognoses, Susan has been cancer-free for over 24 years!
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Sam reveals his own diagnosis with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and later, Alzheimer's disease. He candidly discusses the relief of a diagnosis after initial dismissals and how his memory challenges became evident while performing his first play.
Inspired once again, Sam created a second one-man show, this time as a patient living with Alzheimer's. He passionately advocates for:
Living a meaningful life with memory loss: Strongly opposing assisted suicide, Sam believes individuals with Alzheimer's still have valuable contributions to make, even if it's just a "nanosecond" towards finding a cure.
The necessity of accommodations: He champions "cognitive navigators" and increased accessibility for those with cognitive impairments, highlighting tools like the "hidden disability" lanyard used in airports.
Changing the narrative around memory loss: Sam expresses his strong dislike for the term "dementia," finding it degrading and dehumanizing, preferring "memory loss" to emphasize the human being behind the diagnosis.
Join us for this deeply moving and insightful discussion that challenges perceptions, advocates for dignity, and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!