Living in a Constant state of confusion

    We Lived in town for about 12 years before we moved to the farm. With a Dysonia patient, or my kind of Dystonia I live in a constant state of confusion, constantly having to ask what day it is, or where is the silverware, towels, plates, for me one of the toughest parts of the disease is that if something has been placed somewhere the first time, that is where you always go to find it.
    When we moved to the farm I was still working so my wife had to so show me where she put everything in the cabinets in the Kitchen and bathroom which dresser was mine, because you have to change everything when you move right?..
    We have lived at this farm for almost 10 years and she has moved things around 3 or 4 times since we have been here, but when I want a knife I go to the same place that she put it when we moved in and wonder why it is not there. I do not remember her moving it even though she has told me hundreds of times. I have to sit and think, ok where did she move it?  I think for awhile and then a light bulb goes off in my head and I remember where she has put them, only to find when I get there the towels are there. Was I looking for towels? by the time I get to the second place I can't remember that I was looking for a knife to begin with! Sounds like a comedy show, Well sometimes my life is a comedy show it is either you learn to laugh or you will spend all of your time crying, and any of my siblings or my mother can tell you that you have to learn  to laugh at yourself to make it through because believe me others will laugh at you and that is ok. I then must ask my wife what I was looking for, even though she wasn't even in the kitchen when I started to look for the object I can't remember.  She will come and look around, assess the situation, what does he have on the counter, what was he doing when he started looking for this object? and somehow miraculously she will bring me a knife and tell me what I was looking for and she will know what I was going to do with it. It still amazes me. For a Dystonia patient if something is put someplace first, that is the place it should always be, or that is the way it is for me. I live in a constant state of confusion she may find me almost anywhere just standing looking around, I do not know what I am doing there sometimes she does sometimes she does not, but she is always compassionate and even if she does not know why I was standing there she will say, "Just sit down in the recliner and we will figure it out." yes she gets frustrated but who wouldn't with a husband who never knows from minute to minute what he is doing, and I can see the frustration, but it is not with me it is with the disease.
    This is a good lesson for any care giver or one who is cared for. Let the Person know that it is the disease that frustrates them not you. They do not like seeing you confused, and for the one who is being cared for if someone really loves you, yes they will get frustrated, but understand it is the disease at which they are frustrated cut them some slack. I am not the easiest person to take care of if I had to take care of me and my confusion I might have quit already!
    My wife has a right to get frustrated and if you think about it we all get frustrated about something usually it is not a spouse we have to worry about.
    Again these are just thoughts from a family with Dystonia confusion is just one of the problems if you enjoy the story you can click the follow button at the top right or you can subscribe if you read it thank you! I appreciate the time you took to read it and some of the thoughts and struggles we face that you might not think of, anyway it will give you pause to take a moment and pray for a struggling family! because believe me it is a Struggle!