Embracing Good Days Ahead: A Journey Beyond Diagnosis

Blessed Carlo Acutis To Become A Saint

By KEVIN QUAID, Author

When a person, especially a young person, gets a diagnosis of Parkinsons and Lewy Body dementia – or indeed any diagnosis – it’s hard to see that there can be good days ahead. I, however, have been one of the lucky ones, and since my first diagnosis ten years ago, I have had a lot of good days. This year has seen some great days. Just last month, I got to spend some time with Queen Matilda, Queen of the Belgians, but I have to say one of the greatest honours of my life was when I got the invitation to a Garden Party to celebrate Communities In All Their Diversities hosted by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina. Not only did we get to roam around the formal gardens of Áras an Uachtaráin and listen to musical performances at every corner of this majestic place, we also got to see the inside of this magnificent building in all its glory and history.

The highlight of the day for me was to get to present both my books – Lewy Body Dementia Survival and Me and I am Kevin not Lewy – to the President. Although he is a very busy man, I had a conversation with him, and a longer conversation with Sabina who told me they were avid readers and that both of them were looking forward to reading both books. She continued to tell me how the President loves to keep in touch with his relatives in North Cork and how important it is to him.

We were then taken to a beautiful Marquee for refreshments and entertainment where the President gave a wonderful speech; if world leaders would only listen to such a powerful man then this world would be such a better, safer, and more peaceful place to live.