Experiencing Grace and Goodness in the Awful Agony of Dementia
Manage episode 436435946 series 3548044
In this episode, Travis shares about his journey caregiving for his dad when he had late stage dementia. Alzheimers and dementia are brutal diseases that are rapidly rising globally. So many people know a loved one personally dealing with this tragic struggle.
Travis also shares about the beautiful moments and lessons learned that can still be gained if we look more closely and pay attention. Travis' shares how God in his grace gave moments of gifts and that even as his dad lost nearly all functionality he still graced the world with the power of his smile.
Travis reminisces about both the immense difficulties involved in caregiving and the heavy emotional toll of seeing a loved one continued to lose more of their world and themselves in a staggeringly slow death. Travis reads an excerpt on a piece he wrote as he was in the grips of dealing with his dad's disease and how writing this piece helped him process.
He also offers encouragement and shares some stories on God's grace radiating through even the darkest moments and bleakest times. Sometimes in very surprising ways. We hope this episode can be an encouragement for you in some way as you deal with your own story of a loved one with dementia.
Reach out to Travis:
Travis' email: travisvangsnes@gmail.com
Resourced mentioned in this podcast:
Additional resources from Travis and Jess:
Guided Pace website: resources for coaching, soul care, and spiritual retreat offerings
Travis' books:
Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope
38 episodi