After nine days
of bitter, cold weather and gloomy skies, I walked the dog outside and
wondered…what is that bright shiny object
casting shadows upon the earth? I welcomed the rays of sunshine and the
tiny amount of warmth it psychologically added to the day.
I immediately
thought of how lately I’d heard the idiom “bright shiny object” to describe
people who have risen quickly in the world of politics. In other words, they
are saying these young, energetic politicians are charismatic but not long
lasting or particularly useful.
Sometimes older
workers can have this same attitude toward new employees. When I found a job at
the electric cooperative, I was the youngest person in the office. My job was
to learn how to operate that new fangled computer. A minority of the employees were
suspicious of me because they thought I was hired so they could be replaced with
a machine. I was a bright and shiny object in their world, and they would have liked
nothing better than to sandblast the shine. Fortunately, most employees thought
I was useful and non-threatening, and they polished the shine.
I came to know
and love my co-workers as family, and they inspired me to be a polisher rather
than a sandblaster. I am happy for my friends and family when they succeed.
Life is tough enough without sandblasters purposely trying to take someone
down.
To refer to
someone as a bright shiny object should never have been a derogatory term. The
definition of bright means “full of light.” I believe that Alzheimer’s
caregivers are full of light. They’ve had their lives sandblasted by a devastating
disease, but accepted the responsibility and challenge of caring for loved ones.
Research shows that Alzheimer’s caregivers provide more hours of care and a higher
level of assistance with activities of daily living than caregivers for persons
without dementia. One in three Alzheimer’s caregivers reported that their own
health deteriorated. Yet, each year, more than 16 million family and friend
caregivers provide more than 18 billion hours of care for their loved ones with
dementia.
Shiny has two
definitions that I thought noteworthy—(1) worn or rubbed smooth, (2) reflecting
light. Alzheimer’s advocates are often caregivers or former caregivers.
Advocates can be worn slick from years of caregiving, but they get the
importance of advocacy. Some are a voice for their loved ones with dementia,
but others are the voices of persons living with dementia. Becoming an advocate is a
positive reaction to a negative situation. The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement
(AIM), the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer’s Association, has driven policymakers
to address the crisis of Alzheimer’s disease. AIM advocates have diligently
worked for years to bring national awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and increased
research funding.
An object is a
goal. The ultimate goal is to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, so that future
generations will eventually forget the wreckage Alzheimer’s leaves in its wake.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest worldwide non-profit funder of
Alzheimer’s research. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) has steadily
increased their Alzheimer’s funding. A worldwide effort to end Alzheimer’s
disease adds to the hope that a cure will be discovered sooner, rather than
later.
These bright shiny
objects have staying power and are extremely necessary in the fight against
Alzheimer’s. Caregivers overcome adversity to be full of unconditional love and
light, advocates reflect the light and take AIM at engaging policymakers to
make Alzheimer’s a priority, and researchers seek a clear and obtainable goal
to end Alzheimer’s.
The clouds roll
in again, and I wonder where is that
bright shiny object that brings light and life to the world? The clouds
may hide it from view, but it steadfastly shines, patiently waiting to burn
through the gloom to brighten the world with hope.
Copyright © January 2019 by L.S.
Fisher
#ENDALZ
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