Diagnosis

At the age of 21, my brother, Marcus, was diagnosed with Progressive Dementia. After numerous testing upon graduating from high school, we received the news that it was indeed progressive and that he would continue to decline. The news was heartbreaking, yet astonishing that, at such a young age, Marcus had a brain disease that affects people in their 60's or older. As he continued to progress, our family decided it was crucial that we see a doctor that specialized in brain and memory care. On November 16, 2015, our family visited a neurologist at Harborview Medical Center who believes that, although Marcus has many of the same traits and behaviors as someone with Dementia, she does not believe that what he is facing is simply dementia. She believes that he has a major neurodegenerative disorder that has started in early adulthood and continues to progress. She stated that most neurodegenerative disorders that affect memory share many of the same features of dementia such as confusion, memory loss, agitation, and irrational behavior, to name a few. 

Since the initial diagnosis in 2008, he has declined to the point of needing to live in an environment that caters to his needs. Eventually, his entire independence was taken from him. For the past 5 years, my parents have rearranged their lives to care for him.  In his current state, he struggles with basic comprehension and memory. He is extremely confused with simple things and has moments of misunderstanding his identity. It has been devastating to watch, yet we know God has a plan for his life. 

After many, many months of prayers, tears, and total dependence on God for answers, we continue to seek His guidance for Marcus' future. In January of 2014, we moved Marcus to Rainbow Acres is in Camp Verde, Arizona. Marcus was living with a caregiver in a home with 9 other individuals who have a variety of cognitive disabilities. Although we believed this was the answer to our prayers due to providing a more active lifestyle, Marcus was only able to stay there for a year, as his condition progressed and they were no longer able to provide the necessary security care, as Marcus began to wonder off facility grounds. 


Marcus is now under the care of my parents until they are no longer able to provide the necessary lifestyle for him. This has been an extremely emotional process, yet we continue to have strong faith in our God and an overwhelming amount of support from friends and family.  

His Marvelous Mind

Dear Brother has been set up to tell the story of my young brother's on-going journey with Progressive Dementia. This experience has been filled with tears, confusion, frustration and fear but God has equipped us with strength, courage and perseverance to overcome. Marcus is His son and is here for a purpose. It is our prayer that his story and continuous battle is inspiring, despite the unfamiliar future he will face.

Why His Marvelous Mind? My dad often makes references about "the marvelous mind of Mr. M". When new behaviors arise or conversations take place, we are baffled. If you've seen the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", you may understand this. Marcus' mind truly is marvelous and continues to change. Thus, His Marvelous Mind seems fitting.

Why Dear Brother? There are times that I'd like to write Marcus letters as if he didn't have this disease so that I could explain why life is so much more difficult for him. His level of confusion, fear and misunderstanding is so deep, his personality has become unrecognizable. If there is ever a day when he is able to understand, I will start his letters out with Dear Brother. Through these letters, he will understand just how loved he is.  

GoFundMe Donations

This GoFundMe page was originally set up to help pay for Marcus' long-term care at Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, Arizona. In February of 2015, we had to move Marcus back due to his changing  and unpredictable behaviors that come with individuals suffering from Dementia. These funds will now be used to help pay for the future care of Marcus.

To all of those who have donated or will donate in the future, our family is incredibly thankful and humbled by your acts of kindness. We pray God will bless you in more ways than one, just as He blessed us with your generosity, devotion and friendship.

GoFundMe - Team Marcus