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English
Series:
Part 98 of one-shots , Part 84 of Disney One-shots , Part 46 of Awareness stories , Part 3 of Tiana's tales , Part 238 of gift fic , Part 231 of collection stories
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2022 - Awareness Challenge, Theme: Celebrating Black Characters
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Published:
2021-11-25
Words:
963
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1/1
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4
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9
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3
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563

Remember Me

Summary:

I wrote this story to bring more awareness to Alzheimer's. Again I chose Tiana since she lives in a more modern world than the rest of the Disney Princesses. I've done plenty of research to make this as factual as possible. So please enjoy and do your best to educate yourself to help others!

Notes:

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that affect a person's ability to function independently.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly losing the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment. Alzheimer's disease involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.

Alzheimer's disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells. One of the proteins involved is called amyloid, deposits of which form plaques around brain cells. The other protein is called tau, deposits of which form tangles within brain cells.

Alzheimer's disease is most common in people over the age of 65. The risk of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia increases with age, affecting an estimated 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in every six people over the age of 80

On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors. Changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's begin years before any signs of the disease.

Five things you don't say to someone with Alzheimer's

1. Don't tell them they are wrong about something.

2. Please don't argue with them.

3. Don't ask if they remember something

4. Don't remind them that their spouse, parent, or other loved one is dead.

5. Don't bring up topics that may upset them

Ten Symptoms of Alzheimer's

1. Difficulty remembering things that just happened. Forgetting dates or events, repeatedly asking for the same information, and relying more and more on family members or reminder notes to handle daily tasks.

2. Inability to plan or solve problems. Struggling to track monthly bills or solve simple math problems. Taking longer to do these things may be another sign.

3. Losing track of dates, seasons, and time. If it isn't happening right now, people living with Alzheimer's may not understand it. Forgetting where they are and how they got there are also common symptoms.

4. Misplacing things. Putting items in unusual places, struggling to retrace steps to look for a lost item, and, in some cases, accusing others of stealing.

5. Mood and personality changes. Alzheimer's can produce anxiety, confusion, depression, or suspicion. In addition, it can make people upset much more quickly, especially when they're away from home.

6. Poor decision-making. They are having poor judgment with money or frivolously giving it away. Some people with Alzheimer's may stop grooming habits or keep themselves clean.

7. Struggling with conversations. Challenges with vocabulary include calling things by the wrong name, not following or joining a discussion, and repeating the same stories.

8. Trouble completing familiar tasks. Trouble driving to a usual place, forgetting how to cook a simple meal, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

9. Vision problems. They have difficulty identifying colors or contrasts, judging distance, or reading. Poor driving may result.

10. Withdrawal from social or work activities. They are failing to complete work assignments, giving up hobbies, or avoiding social situations.

Happiness Takes Commitment

Happiness takes dedication not to accept anything less than. Happiness isn't a state of euphoria. Instead, it's a state of wellness, peace, and innate love.

Don't look outside of yourself for it because what you'll find will only be temporary. What makes you unhappy? What makes you happy? Commit to asking yourself these questions often.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

 

 

 

 

 

Life is full of stress. Ain't no way around that. But there ain't no pressure more crippling than when a loved one is fightin' a serious illness. The fear of bein' diagnosed with a severe disease often makes folks avoidin' doctors altogether.

Princess Tiana of New Orleans, a wife, mother, and businesswoman, had more than her fair share of doctors' visits in her lifetime. Last year, she barely survived her battle with breast cancer.

But she couldn't shake the feeling that more bad things were comin'. She hoped she was wrong. But it's best to trust your gut when it warns you of somethin' terrible.

It started like any other day for Tiana, goin' over the account records at her business. She was so deep in her work, she didn't hear her husband come in with their six-year-old.

Their daughter, Jamie, had spent the afternoon at her grandma Eudora's house. Naveen had gone to pick her up an hour ago. But Tiana didn't like the look on her husband's face. She let him tuck Jamie into bed before askin' why he seemed so worried.

"Is somethin' wrong, Naveen? Please tell me!" she pleaded anxiously as he placed two mugs of cocoa in front of them.

"Take a few deep breaths, Tiana. You gotta calm down before I tell you." She took some deep breaths and sipped her drink. "Okay, I'm as calm as I'll get. So please, tell me, what's got you so anxious?"

"I don't wanna scare you, but somethin' was off with your mom when I picked up Jamie."

"My mom? What was wrong with her?" she asked, her worry deepening.

"Well, she seemed really disoriented for one. And she was so tired, she fell asleep while watchin' Jamie. If the neighbor hadn't come over to check, Jamie would've been alone."

"Why did the neighbor come over in the first place?"

"According to Mrs. Moony, your mom's been actin' strange for the past few weeks."

"Strange? What do you mean?" Now Tiana was confused. Her husband took a deep breath before continuing.

"Eliza said Eudora's been havin' trouble rememberin' things, misplacin' stuff a lot, and forgettin' dates and appointments. And she's strugglin' with everyday tasks too. The other night, she got lost comin' home. And Eliza mentioned she's been moody lately."

"Well, Mama's gettin' older. It's normal to forget things once in a while," Tiana replied calmly. But Naveen shook his head.

"I don't wanna alarm you, Tiana. But back home, my grandma started showin' similar signs at the same age. It got worse over time."

"What do you mean?" she asked sharply, but he hushed her. They didn't wanna wake Jamie. Tiana took a deep breath and let him continue.

"My grandma eventually got to where she couldn't take care of herself. We couldn't leave her alone 'cause we were afraid she'd get lost or hurt herself accidentally."

"So you're sayin' you're worried my mom will get so bad she can't take care of herself?" Tiana asked seriously, and he nodded.

"Tiana, I saw my grandma decline over the years. She couldn't move, eat, or bathe on her own. She passed away seven years after the symptoms started."

"Oh my God!" Tiana buried her face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. She wasn't ready for this. First, she lost her dad to war, and now she was slowly losin' her mom to Alzheimer's! Naveen did his best to comfort her. He suggested they all go see a doctor together. When asked why, Naveen said it might ease her mind a bit.

From experience, people tend to think their whole world's fallin' apart when they see sickness and death everywhere. So he thought it might help ease her mind to know everyone was healthy.

Or at least to get Jamie checked out. Tiana agreed, knowin' she wouldn't calm down otherwise. Makin' sure her daughter was healthy was the only way she'd get through this.

Two weeks later, they were back at Dr. Clarkson's office. Tiana was Dr. Clarkson's only African-American patient, thanks to her status as a princess and her white, wealthy best friend. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten this level of care.

Dr. Clarkson assured the couple he'd take good care of Jamie. As a parent himself, he knew how much parents worry about their child's health, especially with their own parents' health declining.

The couple waited anxiously for two agonizin' hours before Jamie came back from the exam room, happily suckin' on a lollipop for bein' a good girl. After leavin' her with a nurse in the waitin' room, they went to get the results. Dr. Clarkson reassured the worried parents that Jamie was healthy and developin' as she should for her age.

He'd given her some routine vaccinations and offered some advice to help her grow up strong. He also reminded them to bring her back for another checkup in three months. But otherwise, she was perfectly fine.

Tiana thanked him gratefully for puttin' her worries about Jamie to rest. But while he could ease her fears about Jamie, sadly, he couldn't do anythin' for her mom. He suggested gettin' a caregiver to help her mom out. From what he heard, Eudora was showin' early signs of Alzheimer's. He gave 'em the names of some healthcare providers he trusted.

Thankin' him, the family left the office to head home. That night, Tiana called Lottie about gettin' a caregiver for her mom. Once again, Lottie had no problem helpin' her best friend out, especially since her own mom passed away before she could remember her. Family helps family.

The future looked scary, but sometimes we gotta accept there are things we can't control. All we can do is our best and cherish every day we have together.

Notes:

Your story touches on themes of family, health, and the uncertainties of life with sensitivity and depth. Here are some points of feedback and suggestions for improvement:

Emotional Impact: The story effectively captures the emotional turmoil and fear of a loved one's health decline. Tiana's reaction to her mother's potential diagnosis of Alzheimer's is portrayed with authenticity, allowing readers to empathize with her.

Character Development: Tiana and Naveen are well-developed characters with distinct personalities and concerns. Their dialogue and actions reflect their love for each other and their daughter and their shared anxieties about Tiana's mother's health.

Pacing: The story's pacing feels appropriate, with the gradual reveal of Tiana's mother's symptoms effectively building tension. However, consider balancing the pacing to ensure that the emotional weight of each scene is fully explored without feeling rushed.

Description and Setting: While the story focuses primarily on the characters' emotions and interactions, adding more descriptive details about the setting could enhance the reader's immersion in the narrative. For example, describing the doctor's office or Tiana's workplace could provide context and enrich the story.

Resolution and Hope: The story ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the importance of cherishing each day and finding strength in family support. Consider further exploring Tiana's journey as she navigates her mother's illness and finds ways to cope and support her family.

Overall, your story effectively conveys the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of confronting illness while maintaining a sense of hope and resilience. With some additional attention to detail and character development, it has the potential to resonate even more deeply with readers.