I am very afraid that my son has E.O.A.D. (early onset adolescent dementia) otherwise known as a P.I.M.A.( pain in my ass).

I started to notice the symptoms as soon as he was able to talk.  “I forgot” became a common phrase heard around our house. I am afraid as he has gotten older the disease has progressed. He has now entered the later phase of the disease  called C.R.S. (can’t remember shit).

At first you shrug it off.  He’s just a little boy you tell yourself. His memory will improve as he gets older and years from now you will laugh about this. Well ,years have passed and I’m still not laughing.

It’s a growing concern for our generation.  As we get older and the fear of our own memory fading becomes a valid concern we must ask ourselves “Who will remember trash night when our memory goes for good? What will become of the dog they begged for but can’t remember to feed and give water ?   If they can’t remember to feed the dog how in the world will they remember which nursing home they have me stashed in?

I don’t know about you but I lose sleep at night worrying about leaving my end of life decisions to  someone that can’t find the end of the driveway once a week.

Experts say that with dementia patients you should stick to a routine and keep things consistent.  We have had the same trash day and the same dog for ten years. I don’t know how much more consistent we can get with this kid.

They also say to give verbal and visual cues and reminders. Texts, notes and verbal commands have not seemed to improve his memory. My next step is to start parking the trash cans behind his car. Let’s just hope I remembered to pay the car insurance premium.

I know I paint a bleak picture but please don’t despair.  We do get glimmers of hope every now and then.  For example he hasn’t forgotten his debit card pin number or the security code on his phone.  His is more of an intermittent memory problem.  He remembers how to pick up girls just not wet towels