The bond between mother and child is a strong one, no matter the circumstance.
In a rare moment caught on video, MJ Grant of Sanford, captures the beautiful side of dementia, which is a connection of love that is never lost. In the video, Grant gently coaxes her mother out of the merciless grips of dementia for a few precious minutes.
MJ’s mother, who is deaf, is seen sitting next to her daughter enjoying a leisurely conversation. Grant delicately signs to her mother various questions to find out if she remembers her at all.
“Where’s MJ” she asks her mother.
Her mother looks right at her and signs with “I saw her a long time ago at Christmas…I forget.”
The heartbreakingly enlightening conversation shows the devastating loss that loved ones endure from dementia. Not once does Grant get upset or angry with her mother. She continues the conversation with grace and love.
Dementia can rob families of a lifetime of memories and some say it is like a death.
The disease is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. ‘Depending on the area of the brain that’s affected by the damage, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms,’ according to the Mayo Clinic.
MJ’s mother ponders the question about knowing her own daughter.
Maybe you have met her? asks her mother.
“Yes” replies Grant with a smile.
In the video they are seen looking off in the distance and Grant’s mother looks as though she is reaching for the answers.
When Grant brings up that she has a mother and father who also are deaf, there is a spark of interest in her mother’s face. She tells her she must meet them.
“Where is your mother, I must meet her,” her mother says. My mother is here…I think you know her,” replies Grant.
After Grant brings up her father’s name another moment of clarity begins to emerge. Her mother asks,
“Did I give birth to you?” Grant replies with “Yes” and her mother immediately reaches out for her and says “I’m so surprised!”
There is an understanding between them and it is apparent that MJ’s mother is trying to put the pieces together.
“I’m your mother?”
“Yes,” says Grant.
‘Symptoms include forgetfulness, limited social skills, and thinking abilities so impaired that it interferes with daily functioning.’
According to the World Health Organization there are around 50 million people suffering from dementia and nearly 10 million new cases each year.
Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
When asked who taught her to use sign language, Grant replies with, “you taught me.”
Grant patiently and lovingly reaches over to tell her mother that they look alike. The two get closer and look into the camera to see the similarities. Her mother looks at her and signs, “I still can’t believe it.”
“Look at us, we resemble each other,” MJ says to her mother.
Grant’s mother gets quiet again and smiles in agreement.
“You’re my mama,” says Grant.
The two embrace again and for a short but powerful moment, the bonds of family are stronger than the bondage of dementia.
Now watch their inspiring interaction in this video below.
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