I Want | Alzheimer’s in the First Person | Barbara Taylor Vaughan

Photo: Gregory Kazarian, GPK Design

I want to run away, I want to get into a car and drive away. Not tell anyone where I’m going. I want to drive until I get too tired to drive any longer..then check into a hotel and sleep all day…order room service and then get up and drive again…drive until I want to stop.

I want to go south, go through the mountains, all the way to the ocean. I want to eat when I want to, sleep when I want to…not worry about anything. I want to meet new people, visit old friends along the way, and wave at strangers.

I want to trade my car in for a convertible, put the top down, and even drive with the top down if it is sprinkling rain. I want to wear a scarf around my neck, an orange one, one that blows in the breeze. I want to get to Florida, walk barefoot in the sand and watch the ocean for hours. I want to eat all the foods I’m not supposed to, go into a bar and order drinks for the house, twice. I want to play poker, and win.

I am 89 and I have Alzheimer’s, I don’t drive anymore, I can’t even walk without assistance…but I still have wants.