The Frightening Way I Relate To Donald Trump

For some time my spouse has attempted to convince me that the President’s crazy positions, comments, tweets and other irrational behaviors are, in large part, based upon a form of dementia.

A little context is needed as to why I believe her. In 2014, a Mayo Clinic Neurologist in Rochester Minnesota, diagnosed me with Vascular Dementia. A few years later, another Neurologist mentioned  “Mild Cognitive Impairment” and finally a third confirmed Alzheimer’s. My spouse has been living with my disease as well and has followed the impact it has had on my life. Until a few years ago I was a corporate executive running my own company. As this disease has progressed, I have changed relatively dramatically over the past 4 ½ years since the diagnosis.

I am convinced that when a person gets dementia, it sets one on a path that was predetermined because it is not curable. Decline is inevitable, but how one reacts over time is in large part due to their upbringing and lifetime environment. Although I am not a physician, I know how my life has changed and I also have watched others with this disease and how they have changed.

I grew up in a very religious family. My father was a pastor with a fairly liberal bent. My mother was more conservative, but both were extremely kind, helpful people who treated all individuals with dignity and respect, no matter their race or religion. Although I never thought much about those issues growing up, as I aged I became very aware of my parents and their view of life. My view at first became like theirs; but over time as I got older and dementia began to take hold, I grew ever more concerned and compassionate about other people and all other living things as well.

When I was growing up I hunted with my dad. After I got dementia, I find I can no longer kill an animal myself. Not only that, but I’ve become concerned with the living conditions, treatment, and manner of death of the animals who become the meat that I eat.

So, how does all this relate to the president and his dementia? Trump grew up in a tough household with a demanding father. All I have ever read about his early and even adult years as a businessman and his other endeavors is that he was self-centered with a huge ego. He has always had a habit of skirting the truth and blaming others for any mistakes that may have been made. With dementia, who you were and how it affects who you have become, is even more pronounced. The traits Trump exhibited throughout his life are only exaggerated as his dementia progresses.

Much has been written lately about some of his top people becoming very concerned about his decision-making, his rambling, repetitive speech, and in a number of cases, it is assumed some top-level folks are only staying with him to protect the country.

Dementia or Alzheimer’s generally tends to run in families, and Donald Trump’s father Fred Trump had Alzheimer’s for 6 years before he died in 1999.

My conclusion is that the President certainly has some form of dementia, probably Alzheimer’s. It is affecting his behavior, and it’s getting progressively worse. Both of these issues are real problems for the country. The quicker the problem is recognized by the voters and the Republican controlled Congress, the better off we will all be.

by Dick Goodson
Posted 9/7/18