I had a wonderful surprise this morning. I received a FaceTime call from my sister. She lives in Seattle, in an assisted living facility. Tragically, she experienced a brain injury and because of that she can not live independently. She has no short term memory. Seriously. When we do visit our conversations are riddled with requests to tell her things again. But, her intellect is intact and she recalls most everything from 15 - 20 years ago, and back. She can even converse in German, or French and if you asked her, she could translate Sanskrit!
The amazing thing about this morning's call is that she was able to make it. She used her iPad and somehow figured out how to connect with me on FaceTime. My brother and I chatted, and neither of knows how she managed. (It was 5:30 AM in Seattle, and no one was with her) When she used to have a phone she would always ask for my phone number. She purportedly wrote it down, but she could never remember where to find the phone number, or perhaps how to use the phone, to give me a call.
Her land line telephone had to be removed. She responded to sales requests without realizing what she was doing, or remembering. When she was given a cell phone, she wouldn't remember to charge it, or even where she put it down. With new technology it may be that she can have a phone again, but one that will only accept incoming calls from specified phone numbers. My bother is looking into it.
It was a nice way to begin the day!
My sister and my brother
That was a precious treat for you to get the Facetime call from your sister. She looks happy in the photos. How frustrating to have little or no short term memory. Good for her for making the phone call.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great treat and brings a smile to my face every time I think about it.
DeleteI empathize with your sister. I had a TBI in 2011. It affected my longterm memory but not all of it. Very frustrating. It also destroyed my balance. I'm so sorry but happy for you both that she was able to FaceTime you.
ReplyDeleteMy sister's balance and gait were also impacted. She often uses a walker and has experienced several falls, luckily with no damage. Our brains are amazing - I hope you have recovered a lot from your TBI
DeleteHow amazing and wonderful that your sister was able to FaceTime with you by calling all by herself - an out of the blue miracle!! Hope this means she is recovering to some extent (if that's possible).
ReplyDeleteHugs!
What a lovely surprise!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteShe figured it out!!
ReplyDelete