Beverly
The following interview took place between Victoria and Beverly’s two daughters, Paige and Monique. Beverly has been a lifelong resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and her first time to live off of the property on which she was born was to move into The Phoenix at Hammond’s Memory Care Community.
VICTORIA: First, tell us a little about Ms. Bev.
PAIGE: Mom is a unique lady to say the least. She is straight laced, no smoking no drinking, with a passion for God but LOVES to dance! She grew up on the east side of Ponchatoula as an only child. Her dad was a strawberry farmer and her mom ran their convenience store. Mom married the love of her life, our dad, and her sun rose and set on him. They had a beautiful marriage and three kids. Her life’s work was to raise children and she did a hell of a job. Mom likes being outdoors enjoying country living- picking up twigs and watching turtles in the canal. She lived on the same plot of land her entire life.
MONIQUE: She did love to dance. She danced with dad (Frank) every Sunday afternoon at Canal Bank after church.
VICTORIA: When was Mrs. Beverly formally diagnosed?
PAIGE: I don’t really know, mom and dad lived in denial when it came to medical issues.
MONIQUE: Mom was not formally diagnosed until recently, but she had symptoms for at least 15 years.
VICTORIA: What is her formal diagnosis?
MONIQUE: Alzheimer’s Disease
VICTORIA: How long did she present symptoms before she was diagnosed?
PAIGE: She has had symptoms leading back 15 years.
VICTORIA: What has been the most difficult to handle since diagnosis?
PAIGE: I’d say moving her from the house she and dad built to the memory care home (The Phoenix at Hammond).
MONIQUE: For me, it’s been protecting her from herself with her believing she is more capable that she is with driving, living alone, etc.
VICTORIA: What has been a silver lining, comical relief, or funny occurrence since her diagnosis?
PAIGE: Mom’s mom had Alzheimer’s, too, and became mean as a rattlesnake. Mom is totally the opposite. She says and does silly things all the time she would have never done before the disease.
MONIQUE: When she still lived at home, she walked over to the high school and was just visiting with the kids during their school day!
VICTORIA: How old is Mrs. Beverly at the time of this shoot?
MONIQUE: 82
VICTORIA: What is the significance of the props in her photographs?
MONIQUE: She loves God, the church, and always proud of her family
VICTORIA: What are your thoughts on how Mrs. Beverly responded to the photoshoot?
MONIQUE: She was a ham! She loved it!
VICTORIA: What advice would you give to a family member at the beginning of their diagnosis journey with a loved one?
PAIGE: Hang on. It’s going to be harder on you than the person suffering from the disease.
MONIQUE: Get all the support you can get and push to get your family member all the support available you can find. Don’t do it alone.
VICTORIA: What is Mrs. Beverly’s lasting legacy?
PAIGE: Shrimp and crab gumbo and coconut cake… in which she never shared the recipe. She is a God fearing lady with a deep love for her family.
MONIQUE: Mom was a caregiver. She took amazing care of her mother and mother in law almost daily even when they were in nursing homes. Love God, Love family, and help others around you.
Awareness Fact:
Alzheimer’s Disease, compared to other types of dementia, is often a very slow progression. Those living with it may have symptoms 15+ years before requiring advanced support. Research suggests early detection and treatment may drastically slow the progression further.
For more information on the 10 early signs of Alzheimer's Disease: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs