Richard's Journey with FTD (Frontal Lobe Dementia) - Episode #50 (10/02/24)

Until this past week I didn't realize what an impact that my Dad's videos were really having on others until I had people start commenting on RUclips and messaging me on Facebook thanking us for posting what we did for World FTD Awareness Week. It was very heartwarming to know what we are doing is making a difference and helping bring more awareness and showing others in the same situation that they are not alone in their own personal journey with this disease.
I have not been very active on RUclips the past year due to unexpectedly becoming a full-time caregiver to my Mom who has some permanent brain damage from being in her home with a carbon monoxide leak in it. I also help care for my Dad part-time. However, Dad and I talked and we are going to try and get back in a routine of making update videos and sharing them again on RUclips to help show the continued progression and what impact FTD is having on him personally.
In this video I talked with Dad about how over 3,000 people took the time over the past week to watch one of his videos we shared on Facebook. His reaction was "Wow"! Dad shared how he likes share his story and what he wants others to know about FTD. He gives some personal advice to others who might have been recently diagnosed and to someone who is caring for someone with Frontal Lobe Dementia. When I asked him what the hardest thing he was currently dealing with he kind of avoided the question - which honestly is probably he adapts as he goes and really doesn't think anything is wrong with him because we have normalized his disease. I had a few negative comments made recently about how I talk to my Dad like a kindergartner or they didn't like the sound of my voice - but that's okay because that's what works best for my Dad and he shares how he feels about the topic. I didn't catch it on video, but on our way to take him home last night he shared that I talk to him like a teacher and it's very comforting because he can understand better that way. We briefly talked about how many views his video on him not taking his meds got and he got pretty emotional and stated he was a mess that day. He doesn't like when he doesn't have control and that's a very hard topic for him to talk about so I changed the topic as soon as I realized it was upsetting him so much. We ended the video on a more positive note about what he has been up to lately.
Richard Pontious and I started making these videos to document his journey with FTD and to help bring more awareness to how Frontal Lobe Dementia may impact a person's life. It has been over seven years since he was diagnosed. He loves talking and sharing his story and how FTD has impacted his life in the hopes that it may help someone else who might be dealing with the same thing or caring for a loved one with a similar diagnosis . He is such an inspiration with his positive attitude.
#endFTD #FTDawareness

[@carollangenback4526]

He's feeling better today so glad.

[@christinapasquale6088]

Hi Richard. 💕

[@christinapasquale6088]

Richard my husband has been diagnosed we are both listening to you now. Thank you!!!

[@rosegaskin6662]

Hi Richard, my husband was diagnosed with FTD almost two years ago. Your videos are very helpful to me.