Program will begin meeting in South Berwick next month
Today's most viewed articles
Bob O’Keefe, a member of a Legacy Writers Group for those living with Alzheimer’s, said he has written this: “I have captured the true meaning of my life in the stories I remember from my past. My plan is to leave these stories for my children to read.”Photo illustration
July 28, 2013 2:00 AM
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — A new writers group for those with early to middle stage Alzheimer's is intended to help those living with the disease stay mentally and socially active while creating a legacy.
Robert O'Keefe, 71, has been among those writing down memories from childhood through adulthood, through a Legacy Writers Group of the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter.
"It's been terrific," O'Keefe said of the group that began meeting in Scarborough in November.
That group recently wrapped up its program, with another scheduled to start Aug. 22.
On Aug. 13, the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, on which O'Keefe serves on the board of directors, is starting a new, free Legacy Writers Group in South Berwick. It will meet for 10 weeks from 10 to 11:30 a.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at South Berwick Public Library, 27 Young St.
Facilitator Mark Pechenik of South Berwick, who also led the Scarborough group, is the chapter's director of community engagement and outreach. He is also a freelance writer for Seacoast Media Group.
Research has shown those with Alzheimer's who remain mentally and physically active retain a stronger quality of life for a longer period of time, according to Pechenik.
"The writers group is an outgrowth from that research," he said. "It's just been very highly beneficial for the participants. A number have come to us and said, 'The process of putting pen to paper with the writing process is sparking memories.' Participants say to me these are memories they didn't know existed any longer."
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, known to impair memory, thinking and behavior to a greater degree over time.
"The point is to create a legacy that they can share with family members, friends or just for themselves," Pechenik explained.
O'Keefe said, "I'm almost racing against the clock. There might come a time when I won't have my memory."
The former company vice president was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's at age 68, three years after he retired and he and his wife moved to North Waterboro, at the edge of York County. He said he went to the doctor after noticing he had difficultly making decisions and focusing. He said he was well aware of the disease that had afflicted his father and older brother, both now deceased.
O'Keefe began writing about his life before joining the writers group. He wanted his seven children to know who he was before they began calling him "dad."
"I decided then I was going to write everything I could remember about my life, before my children were born," he said.
He credits Pechenik with helping those in the group remember the stages of their lives, from their earliest memories, to childhood, the teenage years, college and beyond.
"First of all, it was an opportunity to think hard about things that happened long ago and what life was like," O'Keefe said. "It's hard to remember a lot of those things. It was a good exercise to try to recall. The other advantage is, we get to listen to each other. We'd talk about when we first learned to ride a bike, our first pet. I'm sure it was designed to trigger recall about our own lives."
O'Keefe has put together his life story as chapters, which he intends to bind together in book form to give to his children.
"Whatever they do with it, at least they will remember," he said.
Pechenik said no writing or computer experience is necessary for the exercises done on paper with pen. Much of the group's time is spent reading each other's work and talking.
The South Berwick group was supposed to start July 23, but needs at least six participants, according to Pechenik. There is no commitment as members may drop in as interested. Registration is requested by calling the Scarborough office at (207) 772-0115.
Jill Larson, who heads The Gathering Place Adult Social Day Center on Route 1 in Kittery, said she expects some who attend the center will join the writers group. They already keep journals, she said.
"They love it and the family members love it," she said. "I think writers groups would be just the same."
References
- ^ Buy This Photo (www.seacoastonline.com)
- ^ Community Rules (www.seacoastonline.com)
- ^ fill out this form (www.seacoastonline.com)
0 comments:
Post a Comment