Hi, James!  Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

[re Alzheimer's]
JB>  Just prior to 1972 - in my books - would still qualify.


           I figured it was close enough too.  I could probably find out
when Alzheimer's was initially identified.  OTOH I can locate a word in a
standard desk dictionary in eleven seconds... I had one of my students time
me once... and I already knew the publication date of this book.  :-)



JB>  I regret to anounce the death of my God-Father on
JB>  January 18. His fight with dementia, or Alzhimers -
JB>  what difference does it really make - capped off such
JB>  an active life.


           I gather you lost both him & your father within about a year...



JB>  To see him, and my biological father kibitz with each
JB>  other - you would not believe the hilarity.


           but they've left you a wonderful legacy, in their sense of humour.



JB>  "Talk is cheep," might be a cliche, but for a good
JB>  reason, me thinks.


           Yes, it helps keep many things in perspective.  :-))



JB>  I was just suposing, that as easily a stroke might tighten
JB>  up a hand, it could also affect a language center, no?


           Exactly.  With damage on the left side of the brain a person may
be paralyzed on the right side of the body and/or have difficulty using
language. That's how it was with my father's sister.  I'd read a bit about
aphasia... so when my parents informed me she was worried about something,
but they couldn't figure out what, I visited her & asked a series of
yes/no questions.  She used gestures to tell me she hadn't yet paid the
taxes on her house (which were due very soon) and the tax notice was in a
cupboard in the kitchen.  As soon as he understood the problem, my father
paid the taxes.  One of Nora's room mates at Sunny Hill had aphasia too. 
When I explained it to Nora, then turned to her & asked if my
assessment was correct, this girl nodded vigorously & grinned from ear
to ear.  When she couldn't speak other folks probably tended to assume she
didn't understand.  As an "intuitive" thinker, I don't give up so
easily.  :-)



JB>  I just assumed it could also affect face recognition, or
JB>  associating a name with that face...


           Strokes can affect almost anything, depending on which parts of
the brain have been injured.  Dallas & I saw an interview on TV with a
man who had been very supportive before his stroke, according to his wife,
but came across as emotionally flat.  She said that while he still
recognized how she felt, it didn't occur to him to *do* anything about it. 
Sometimes my body doesn't work exactly the way human bodies are supposed to
work and/or I don't connect names with faces... so neither bothers me as
much as a major personality change.



JB>  My 'Uncle' had a great meeting with us one day


           When you felt you had a good visit he probably did too, even if
(or because) he neither knew nor cared what day it was.  My mother had
always been the one who sent cards on everybody's birthday & so forth. 
It really troubled her when she could no longer remember the date or the
day of the week.  I lose track of time when I'm on holiday, but for me
that's perfectly normal....  ;-)



[re trip to Costco & subsequent exhaustion]
JB>  I suppose mom would care about that news, but I'd suspect
JB>  you're a better sounding board for something otherwise so
JB>  mundain. 


           I feel honoured!  Yes, I know how much energy may be required to
do things which a lot of other people take for granted... [another wry
grin].




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+