The See Me Project with Mike and Suzy Plaskey
Tell us something special about your loved one such as years married, profession, awards, children, grandchildren, favorite places, people or things, personality and include funny or interesting stories.
Suzy and I met in December of 1987 and were married the following September 1988. We were married 32 years when she passed. Suzy was a educated as a teacher with a masters degree and taught in the middle and high school level in our local school district. She was the teacher of many of our kids friends thought out the years and had the total respect from all the kids. Small in stature….but strong in discipline and principals. Our Children Alexandra, Harrison and Vincent absolutely loved and respected their mom and understood that when mom “said” something she meant it. Suzy and the kids spend many hours at the swim club during the summer and did their fair share of skiing in the winter. Suzy was a very loyal daughter, sister and friend to many and had a very strong work ethic which was evident in everything she did. With out question one of her favorite places and things to do was to sit at the pool with her mom and sisters and all the kids! She was a avid reader and always had a book or two going at any time. Suzy loved not only our kids and her nieces and nephews but, the students she touched while teaching. Our kids will see someone from the neighborhood and they will comment about how the liked Mrs. Plaskey , that is the true testament to who Suzy was.
Diagnosis
Suzy was only 54 when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. This is known as Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
What 1-2 things do you want people to know about living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other form of dementia?
You have to live in their world not your world. What was normal will never be normal again so, you have to change because their change is happening everyday and it can not be stopped. Do not fight the disease or the loved one, get educated about the Dementia and Alzheimer’s and your caregiving life will become easier. The resources out there are tremendous so please get educated. Once I figured out and accepted that no matter what…I can not change the outcome for Suzy….she is going to die from Alzheimer’s… is when I started to live again. No more feeling sorry….no more why me….no more why doesn’t this person help…all the stuff I could not control, I worked to let it go. There is plenty of life to live as a caregiver. Yes, it is hard and lonely but you are still living and that is what you must focus on. Your loved one will still be loved and cared for but what you? When someone offers help STOP SAYING NO!!!! Say yes and explain what you need and then go about living your life! IT IS OK THE SAY YES…YOU ARE NOT A SUPER HERO!
What has been the most challenging part of your Alzheimer’s/Dementia journey?
Loneliness, peaks and valleys of the disease, watching the kids deal with the death of their mother and wondering what my life will be after Suzy’s passing. It is a very interesting life when you are with your wife who is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and the communication ends and there is hours of silence. The idea of waiting for someone to die is a crazy way to live.
What has been the best part of your Alzheimer’s/Dementia journey?
Being able to help others during my journey and after. I know that I’m able to help others today because I got help when I needed it and got educated so I could help someone else.
What has been the best part of your Alzheimer’s/Dementia journey?*
Being able to help others during my journey and after. I know that I’m able to help others today because I got help when I needed
it and got educated so I could help someone else.
What else would you like us to know?
Caregiving is a tough job that does not always pay well however, I would not change many things during our journey with Alzheimer’s. Loving Suzy to the end was very rewarding and I have learned so much about myself and life as a caregiver now it tis time to help others. Since Suzy’s passing she has visited me many times and I know she is with us all the time. I know this because I met a beautiful woman a year and a half ago and Suzy has made her presence know in a very positive way a few time when we are together. There is plenty of life to live.!!
