<div>For lots more information, photos and the latest updates, visit my <a href="https://www.facingdementiatogether.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">facing dementia together webpage</a>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>It was in November 2020 when Gabriel, my husband of 20 years, was diagnosed with incurable progressive dementia. The aphasia type, where you lose your understanding of words and how the world works. He immediately had to stop working and driving.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Encontrarás mucho más información, fotos y información actualizada en mi página web </em><a href="https://www.facingdementiatogether.org/es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>enfrentar la demencia juntos</em></a>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Fue en noviembre de 2020 cuando a Gabriel, mi marido desde hace 20 años, le diagnosticaron demencia progresiva sin cura, del tipo afasia, en la que se pierde la comprensión de las palabras y de cómo funciona el mundo. Inmediatamente tuvo que dejar de trabajar y de conducir.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>What does that even mean to not understand how the world works? After four years I now know. For example, if a glass breaks, he doesn't know it can cut him. He starts picking it up with his bare hands. And when he gets cut and bleeds, he goes on with whatever he is doing without reacting. Naturally, if you don't know what bleeding means, why do anything about it?
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>¿Qué significa eso de no entender cómo funciona el mundo? Después de cuatro años, ahora lo sé. Por ejemplo, si se rompe un vaso, no sabe que puede cortarle. Se pone a recoger los pedazos con las manos. Y cuando se corta y empieza a sangrar, sigue con lo que estaba haciendo sin reaccionar. Naturalmente, si no sabes lo que significa sangrar, ¿por qué hacer algo al respecto?</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Or, what does it mean when someone cries? I couldn't help but cry the other day while we were eating breakfast as I thought about the need to move him into a nursing home. He looked up from his plate and saw my tears, pointed at his eye, chuckled slightly, and then went back to eating.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>O, ¿qué significa llorar? El otro día, mientras desayunábamos, no pude evitar llorar al pensar en la necesidad de trasladarle a una residencia. Levantó la vista de su plato, vio mis lágrimas, se señaló el ojo, soltó una leve risita y volvió a comer.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I have watched as this physicist, scientific journalist, translator, and writer's understanding of the world has shrunk further and further.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>At 70 years old, he has had a full life, with two children, three grandchildren, playing tennis, learning guitar, working for the National Institute of Public Health, the Secretary of Education, the Electrical Research Institute, and founding and editing the health magazine for youth called Mochate.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>He visto cómo la comprensión del mundo de este físico, periodista científico, traductor y escritor se reducían cada vez más. A los 70 años, ha tenido una vida plena, con dos hijos y tres nietos, jugando al tenis, aprendiendo a tocar la guitarra, y trabajando para el Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, la Secretaría de Educación y el Instituto de Investigaciones Eléctricas, fundador y editor de Mochate, la revista de salud para jóvenes.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_1724193243166159_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_1724193320112493_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>One year ago we could still have a conversation, albeit short. Now, he's limited mostly to how old are you, nice car, it's delicious, and about many things he says "wow" with childlike wonder! Some days more words flow, especially when he is with more people, though they are not always the right words or not enough words for a complete sentence.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Hace un año aún podíamos mantener una conversación, aunque breve. Ahora, se limita a preguntas como "¿cuántos años tienes?", comentarios sobre el coche, o "está delicioso". Y "¡guau!" Algunos días fluye más palabras, especialmente cuando está con más gente, aunque no siempre son las palabras adecuadas o suficientes para completar una frase.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_1724110298607804_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>He shows appreciation for everyone who helps him, saying thank you very much, and you're beautiful, you're precious. Those are other words he still remembers. He is also generous. He always pushes the plate of papaya over to my side of the table when there is just one or two pieces left. And in spite of his uncontrollable craving for sweets, he offers his own when he sees someone doesn't have any. This kindness is his essence, and that has not changed.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>También muestra aprecio por todos los que le ayudan: les dice "muchas gracias", y "eres preciosa". Esas son algunas de las palabras que todavía recuerda. También es generoso. Siempre empuja el plato de papaya hacia mi lado de la mesa cuando sólo quedan uno o dos trozos. Y a pesar de su incontrolable ansia de dulces, ofrece los suyos cuando ve que alguien no tiene. Esta bondad es su esencia, y eso no ha cambiado.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Now his memory is deteriorating. He has forgotten how to shave, he's forgotten his sons' names, and he doesn't recognize his youngest brother. Yesterday we were talking with his son Rodrigo on a video call, and while we were on the call with him I said that Rodrigo is in Canada. He turned away from the phone and asked me, "Who is Rodrigo?"
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Ahora su memoria se deteriora. Ha olvidado cómo afeitarse, los nombres de sus hijos, y no reconoce a su hermano menor. Ayer estuvimos hablando con su hijo Rodrigo por videollamada, y mientras estábamos en la llamada le dije que Rodrigo está en Canadá. Apartó la mirada del teléfono y me preguntó: "¿Quién es Rodrigo?".</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_1724193385546396_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Fortunately he can still walk and bathe and dress himself. Eventually though, he will lose those abilities and, finally, his brain will stop sending signals to keep his organs functioning. That's what happens with incurable progressive dementia.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Afortunadamente, aún puede andar, bañarse y vestirse solo. Sin embargo, con el tiempo, perderá esas capacidades y, finalmente, su cerebro dejará de enviar señales para que sus órganos sigan funcionando. Así es la demencia progresiva incurable.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Over time, we have had to gradually withdraw from all of our former activities. He rather not go places where he can't understand what people are saying and can't participate. That's understandable. But that has left us at home most of the time, quite alone, and lonely.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Con el tiempo, hemos tenido que retirarnos gradualmente de todas nuestras actividades anteriores. Prefiere no ir a lugares donde no pueda entender lo que dicen las personas y donde no pueda participar. Es comprensible. Sin embargo, esto nos ha llevado a quedarnos en casa la mayor parte del tiempo, sintiéndonos bastante solos y aislados.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>He sleeps a lot. Eleven hours at night and another 2 to 3 hours during the day. At this stage in his illness, I can't give him the cognitive, occupational and physical stimulation that he needs. And he is declining more and more rapidly. After consulting with his psychologist and psychiatrist, and mine as well, we have decided that the best thing for him (and for me) is that he go into a nursing home.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Él duerme mucho. Once horas por la noche y otras dos o tres horas durante el día.</em> <em>En esta fase de su enfermedad, no puedo darle la estimulación cognitiva, ocupacional y física que necesita. Y su declive es cada vez más rápido. Tras consultar con su psicólogo y psiquiatra, hemos decidido que lo mejor para él (y para yo) es que ingrese en una residencia.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Now is the time, while he can still interact somewhat, and his new caregivers can bond with him as an appreciative and generous person, before he loses the ability to communicate altogether.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em> Este es el mejor momento, mientras todavía puede interactuar de alguna manera, y sus nuevos cuidadores pueden vincularse con él como una persona agradecida y generosa, antes de que pierda por completo la capacidad de comunicarse.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>But I need your help. </strong>Fortunately, I found a very good nursing home. It has an ideal number of residents per nurse. They do cognitive, physical and occupational therapy several days/week with physical exercises daily. His psychologist trains the staff to work with people with dementia, so they are specialized in providing the appropriate care for this type of disease.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong><em>Pero necesito su ayuda.</em></strong><em> Afortunadamente, encontré una excelente residencia. Tiene un número ideal de residentes por enfermera y ofrece terapia cognitiva, física y ocupacional varios días a la semana, </em>además de ejercicios físicos diarios. <em>Su psicóloga capacita al personal para trabajar con personas con demencia, por lo que están especializados en proporcionar los cuidados adecuados para este tipo de enfermedad. </em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_172410990169791_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>He'll have his own bedroom, which will make the transition easier. He will be able to bring his own bed, bureau and other furnishings, which will make his room more like home. And of course his guitar and his word finder puzzle. Yes, he can still do both!!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Tendrá su propio dormitorio, lo que facilitará la transición. Podrá llevar su propia cama y otros muebles, lo que hará que su habitación se asemeje más a la de casa. Y, por supuesto, su guitarra y su libro de sopa de letras. Sí, ¡todavía puede hacer ambos!</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_172410979975847_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/82144627_1724193511440577_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The nursing home costs $1,400/month, which is a good price here in Mexico for a private bedroom. Half of this cost has already been covered.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>La residencia cuesta 1,400 dólares al mes, que es un buen precio aquí en México por una habitación privada. Ya se ha cubierto la mitad de este costo.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We need your help to pay for this nursing home.<strong> Our goal for this first campaign is US $14,400</strong> <strong>to secure his comfort and care for the next two years, starting September 2nd, 2024</strong>. We don't know how many years of life he has left. But however many they are, it is my wish to give him the best quality of life possible.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Necesitamos su ayuda para pagar esta residencia. </em><strong><em>Nuestro objetivo para esta primera campaña es recaudar 14,400 dólares para garantizar su comodidad y cuidados durante los próximos dos años, a partir del 2 de septiembre de 2024. </em></strong><em>No sabemos cuántos años de vida le quedan, pero sean los que sean, mi deseo es darle la mejor calidad de vida posible.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>We welcome your generosity. </strong>If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to provide any information you would like to know.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>For lots more information, photos and the latest updates, visit my </em><a href="https://www.facingdementiatogether.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>facing dementia together webpage</em></a><em>.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong><em>Agradecemos su generosidad.</em></strong><em> Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo. Me dará gusto facilitarle toda la información que busques.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Encontrarás mucho más información, fotos y información actualizada en mi </em><a href="https://www.facingdementiatogether.org/es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>página web enfrentar la demencia juntos</em></a>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With appreciation,
</div>
<div>Con agradecimiento,
</div>
<div>Ellen (Elena)
</div>

Allan Novick

Anonymous

Susan Neumeier

kevin walsh

Carol Saberskuy

Lhakpa Sherpa

Patricia Flaster

alison mckee

Anne Marie Weiss

Nancy Smith

Wade Boswell

Janice Batchelder

Karen Bass

Facing dementia together---Enfrentando la demencia juntos

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

currencyCode

Money Box Donation List Prompt Experiment Audience

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

Eligible for Profile Share Badge

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

Supporter Comments Eligible Funds

International Only

fundId

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

NPO upsell education category

unclaimed charities

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

NPO recommendations prod

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

Users Receiving Braze KYC Validation Failed

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

isEligibleForProfileBadge

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

categoryGroup

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.3.0 and above

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

NPO upsell animals category

NPO upsell disaster relief category

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

NPO upsell essential needs category

NPO upsell medical category

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

NPO upsell cancer category

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Enter your donation forFacing dementia together---Enfrentando la demencia juntos