A regular morning, a quiet kitchen, the dishwasher humming — everything was going as usual, until the mother suddenly started acting very strangely while cleaning, frightening her family. At that moment, no one knew that this was the first step into the abyss. A crucial sign of the illness that would slowly but relentlessly pull her away from them...

A Carefree Morning and Big Plans

Kristy woke up earlier than everyone else. The window was open, and the spring air mixed with the distant noise of cars drifted into the room. She was in a great mood — today the whole family was flying to Sydney to visit her mother. 

The last few weeks had been hectic but now everything was ready: the suitcases were almost packed, the tickets were on the phone, the gifts wrapped. She stretched, yawned, and walked to the kitchen, humming some old hits under her breath. Today was going to be a wonderful day — she didn’t doubt it — but how wrong she was...

Anticipation of the Meeting

Mom had been preparing for their arrival for a long time, asking what to bring for Lucy, which bottle of wine to open for their visit, and who she was friends with at school now. In these calls, there was that warm thread that always connected them despite the distance.

Kristy missed her. They missed those simple evenings on the veranda, conversations about nothing, Mom’s biting comments about the news, laughter, wine, and slow dinners. And soon — all this would return — at least in that moment, she thought so... until her husband’s phone rang... that call definitely could have made Kristy nervous but she was so busy she simply didn’t hear it ring...

The Hustle That Always Makes Them Laugh

— Let’s hurry — we need to call a taxi soon! — Kristy shouted, dragging a charger, a makeup bag, and a toy bear that her daughter Lucy definitely wanted to take across the apartment.
From the bedroom came:
— We’re almost packed! Just trying to remember where I put my passport...it was her husband David’s voice, slightly guilty, slightly sleepy.

— Mom, I only have one sneaker! — Lucy complained from under the bed, where she had obviously dropped the other one.
They laughed. They hadn’t argued about this for a long time — in their family, such morning disasters were normal.

Elusive Unease

At some point, stuffing a tablet into her backpack, Kristy wondered why Mom hadn’t messaged her in the morning. Usually, she sent a voice message — something like I’m already ready! We’ll meet like queens! But today — silence.

Kristy opened the chat and checked the latest messages. Mom had replied yesterday, cheerful and humorous. Don’t forget my favorite blouse! And the perfume you promised me. I’ve almost cleaned the house — a miracle, not a mother! But today there was not a single message from her — strange...
She shrugged. Probably just busy... however, a strange premonition did not leave Kristy...

The Last Seconds Before Leaving

They were already standing by the front door. The suitcases lined up like soldiers. The taxi was on its way.
Kristy paused at the mirror — fixed her hair, dabbed gloss on her lips, and glanced at herself.

— Are you happy? — she whispered to herself.
— Yes, — she answered.
And at that moment, her husband interrupted — let’s go, the taxi arrived! Oh, look, your mom called!

But Then Something Went Wrong

Kristy froze — because her mom only called David when something bad was happening and she didn’t want to upset her daughter... Kristy sharply turned to him, tension suddenly appearing on her face. Her hands instinctively reached for the phone.
— Give it here, why you?

David put the phone slightly aside:
— Kris, we’ll call back later. We have to go, the taxi is here!
— Give it to me, just a moment!
— Later! — he repeated firmly, already heading out the door.
Kristy felt all the tension inside her tighten...

The Silence in the Taxi Was Troubling

They were riding in the taxi. Their daughter was watching cartoons, David was scrolling through his phone, and Kristy sat looking out the window, as if searching for an answer there. She tried to convince herself it was nothing, that Mom could have simply dialed the wrong number by mistake. But inside, her chest tightened — it didn’t let go.

— Don’t you find this strange? — she finally asked David. — Why did she call you? Maybe something happened but she didn’t want to tell me so I wouldn’t worry?
He looked at her calmly but with slight caution:
— Don’t overthink it. I’ll call her back myself — and everything will become clear.

The Call That Surprised Everyone

He dialed the number and put it on speaker. Her mother’s voice was cheerful and lively, as always:
— David, hi, dear! Listen, I’m thinking — what to give Kristy? There’s still a week, maybe you know what she dreams of? I’d like to make a surprise...
David raised his eyebrows in surprise.
— A week? Susan, we’re arriving tonight.

An awkward laugh sounded on the other end:
— What? Really? Oh my, it completely slipped my mind! I’m so scatterbrained, can you imagine?
Everyone laughed — including Kristy. For a moment, everything seemed to fall into place but that feeling was deceiving, very deceiving...

Kristy Tried to Hide Her Worry

— Well, now it’s clear why she didn’t message me this morning, — Kristy said more calmly but her voice still trembled. — She thought we were arriving only in a week.
David shrugged:
— It happens. Age, business, hustle.
— Yeah… probably, — she nodded. But something inside her did not let go.

Her mom — such a composed, attentive, and smart woman — couldn’t have just mixed up their arrival day. It wasn’t a mistake but the first alarming warning. But no one knew it yet. They were just riding to the airport, towards tomorrow that would change everything.

Comfortable Journey and Gentle Anxiety

The trip to Sydney went surprisingly smoothly. The plane didn’t shake or delay, and their daughter immediately fell asleep, wrapped in a blanket with a little bunny. David spent the whole flight reading, while Kristy, catching herself feeling overly tense, finally ordered a glass of prosecco. A brief patch of turbulence, as if on purpose, gave her an excuse — but the sip quickly helped her let go of the worry. 

Outside the window, darkness was falling, city lights flickered below, and everything finally felt like the vacation they had been waiting for... if only they had known then that the trip would end in tragedy.

Such Long-Awaited Hugs!

By evening, they were already standing at the doorstep. Susan’s house was the same as Kristy’s childhood home — with fragrant jasmine by the window and sounds that hadn’t changed: the creak of the steps, the rusty squeak of the lock, the neighbor’s dog barking. Mom opened the door as if she had been standing there the whole time. 

Wearing an apron, with paint on her fingers since she was simultaneously working on a new painting, and with such a happy face!
— Well, here you are at home,
she sighed and hugged them so tightly, as if she wanted to stop time.

Family Dinner and a Funny Misunderstanding

The kitchen was already set. On the table were the very dishes Kristy loved as a child: baked salmon with ginger, aromatic pumpkin soup, warm bread, salad with oranges and nuts. Even David’s favorite cookies. Everything seemed planned just for this moment.
— But how did you manage it all if you thought we were arriving only next week? Kristy asked in surprise.

Susan threw up her hands:
— Oh, yes! I completely mixed up the dates. But it’s even more fun this way — a surprise! I’m working on a new painting right now, totally lost track of reality. This morning I thought it was Tuesday but it turned out to be Friday. What can I say — I’m an artist!
Everyone laughed. The awkwardness washed away with a single toast to reunion, and the dinner continued as if nothing had happened.

A Little Thing That Stayed in Mind

Kristy laughed too but somewhere deep inside something stuck. Susan just looked a little different: energetic, quick but slightly rushed. And something in her gaze... as if it had deepened. Or drifted away. But at that moment Kristy didn’t pay attention — Everything is fine... she reassured herself.

Around the table everyone laughed, reminisced, interrupted each other, ate with their hands — just like in those times when life was simple and so wonderful! And no one, absolutely no one, could have guessed that in a short time this evening would become a memory they would return to again and again — to hold on to the Susan they once knew...

Everything Seems Perfect — But It Was Deceptive...

Later, when everyone had gone to bed, Susan went out onto the veranda... she felt so happy! Not suspecting that irreversible changes were already happening inside her... but at that moment she was happy because all her closest and dearest people were near! She wrapped herself in a blanket, sat in a chair by the wall and dozed off right there...

She didn’t yet know that very soon her life would turn so much that only her name would remain from the former Susan... And this beautiful evening would later become the most terrible memory for her loved ones... she wouldn’t even be able to remember it...

That Very Morning...

Kristy woke up to sunlight piercing through thick curtains. She stretched and smiled at her husband and daughter, who were still peacefully sleeping nearby. It was one of those rare moments when everything felt right. When the soul calms down simply because you are home — in the place where your life once began.

She quietly kissed David on the temple, adjusted the blanket on her daughter, and tiptoed downstairs. The kitchen already smelled of coffee and something creamy — apparently mom had decided to treat them with her morning vanilla buns.

First Surprise

— Mom, do you want me to help you?
Kristy called from the hallway, pulling off her soft cardigan.
But there was no answer...
Kristy went further and froze. Susan stood by the dishwasher, carefully putting dishes away. But she did it strangely. 

Teaspoons were mixed with big spoons, bowls were stacked on plates, and forks, small and large, were piled together. This was unlike her mother. She used to rearrange the drawer several times if something wasn’t perfectly sized.

A Sharp Reply That Caught Kristy Off Guard

— Mom...
Kristy called softly.
— Are you experimenting with the order?
Susan turned and looked at her daughter with anger that completely unsettled Kristy...

Then with irritation in her voice, she said
— I’m so tired… so tired of worrying about everything. I just don’t care anymore. These words sounded like thunder on a clear day. Kristy had never heard such aggression in Susan’s voice. Usually, mom was strong, composed, like she could handle any difficulties. But now her tone carried bitter exhaustion, almost despair...

Strangeness Continues

After these words, Susan abruptly turned and left the kitchen, slamming the door so hard the sound echoed through the house. Kristy stood frozen, unable to believe she was seeing her mother in such a state for the first time. 

It was the first time she saw mom not just tired but truly overwhelmed and irritated. Everything suddenly froze, and an eerie silence settled in the house. Kristy was simply confused and didn’t know how to react...

Searching and Tears Behind the Closed Door

Kristy couldn’t stay indifferent. She went looking for her mom, calling quietly and anxiously:
— Mom! Where are you? Mom!
Her voice grew more tense until she heard soft sobbing coming from the bathroom. 

Kristy froze by the door, her heart pounding. She knew her mom wasn’t used to showing tears, she only cried during moments of real pain and grief. But now something was wrong. For the first time in a long while, her mom was so vulnerable and broken.

Hugs That Heal

Kristy carefully approached the bathroom door and quietly said:
— Mom, please open up. I’m worried about you.
At first the door opened just a few centimeters, and Kristy saw eyes full of tears. Then the door swung wide open, and they immediately hugged tightly. Mom was trembling in her arms, breaking into soft sobs.

— I’m so tired, — Susan whispered, burying her face in her daughter’s shoulder. — I’ve held on for so long… but now I can’t anymore…
Kristy never fully understood why her mom was crying or what had happened because at that time neither she nor Susan knew that a terrible illness was already controlling her mother and her behavior…

Confession of Accumulated Exhaustion

Kristy stroked her mom’s back, trying to soothe her and let her feel that she was there.
— Everything will be okay, — Kristy whispered, even though she wasn’t sure about those words herself. — I’m with you, we’re together.
When they returned to the kitchen, mom sat down at the table and quietly said:
— It’s just that the exhaustion has built up. All this fuss, all the worries… it felt like everything came crashing down on me at once, and I don’t know how to handle it.

Kristy sat next to her, took her mother’s hand and replied:
— You’re not alone, mom. We’re all here. I’ll help you. We’ll get through this together. At that moment, David woke up. They gathered around the table as a family. But the coziness that usually filled their morning meals seemed to have disappeared. Glances slid over the plates, words were soft and uneasy.

Tension Rising

If anyone thought this was just temporary troubles, they were very wrong. This was only the beginning...
After the quiet breakfast, when everyone had collected themselves a little, David was about to work online. Kristy tried to concentrate but her thoughts kept returning to her mom and her strange behavior.

— Tonight I want us all to go for a walk together, — David said, taking out his laptop. — To have a good time, to distract ourselves.
Kristy nodded, though inside she was tense. She expected her husband to understand her worries and support her but he acted like nothing was wrong, which began to irritate her...

Evening Surprise — Mom Refuses to Drive

When evening came, everyone was getting ready to go out. Usually, mom was the only one driving — she loved driving herself and never let anyone else take the wheel.
But this time Susan suddenly said:
— I’m not driving tonight, — and handed the keys to David.
Everyone froze in surprise. Kristy looked at her mom with concern:
— Mom, are you sure? You always loved driving...

Susan shrugged, her face serious and tired:
— I want to rest, and the headlights bother me at night... I don’t want to go anywhere. You go without me.
David took the keys without questions, and mom quietly went to the bedroom, saying she was going to sleep. Kristy almost cried... it was as if a stranger stood before her instead of her own mother...

The Walk That Went Off Plan

Outside, the air felt fresh but tension between Kristy and David grew.
— You could have at least asked how I’m feeling, — Kristy said, holding back tears. — I need your support right now, not indifference.

David frowned:
— I’m trying to do everything to make things better for us, — he answered coldly. — I wanted a calm evening, not more worries. And nothing is really happening, it’s just your mom being tired.
— Thanks for belittling my feelings again!
Kristy cried out and quickly walked ahead.
The words were harsh, and a cold wall rose between them.

Returning Home Early

The talks didn’t last long. Suddenly Kristy decided that the walk wasn’t helping her.
— Let’s go back home, — she said firmly. — I need to be near mom.
David looked at her, eyes full of tiredness and irritation.

— If you want, — he replied, — but I was counting on a different evening.
So they returned home early. Mom was asleep, and David didn’t go up to the bedroom — he fell asleep right in the living room. Their relationship was already tense enough...

A New Morning — Trying to Start Fresh

The morning began differently. David approached Kristy quietly and said:
— I’m sorry for yesterday. I was wrong. Let’s try to start this vacation over.
Kristy smiled, feeling the tension ease a bit.
— Okay, — she answered. — I want us to just spend time together without fights and worries.

Breakfast went smoothly, sunlight softly lit the room, and even their daughter laughed playing with her mom. It seemed like the clouds were starting to clear.

A Light Joke — and an Unexpected Outburst

In the evening, as the day was coming to an end, mom suddenly announced she was tired and wanted to go to bed early. Kristy couldn’t resist and joked:
— Well, now we have our very own nap queen!

But instead of her usual smile, mom’s face showed hurt! Her lips pressed tight, and tears instantly filled her eyes. She stepped away and whispered painfully:
— That’s not funny...
Kristy looked at her in surprise:
— Mom? What’s wrong? I was just joking...

Finally David Realized Too!

But Susan pressed her lips, and something deeper flashed in her eyes — hurt, maybe even pain. She quietly said:
— I don’t want to be laughed at...
Then she sharply turned and went to the bedroom, refusing to talk anymore. 

Kristy was left standing alone, feeling her heart tighten with helplessness and worry for her dear person... and this time David was truly concerned.
— Kristy, you were right. Something strange is definitely happening with Susan...

A Decision That Can No Longer Be Delayed

Sitting quietly in the kitchen, Kristy thought: This is more than just fatigue or moodiness. Mom needs help.
She knew she had to act quickly before the problem grew even deeper.
Maybe it’s depression, — she thought, clenching her fists.

This was the moment when she decided — for mom’s sake, for the family’s sake — to take Susan to a doctor and not let the illness spread.

A Calm Before the Storm?

The next day, Susan seemed like a completely different person. She woke up early, made breakfast, laughed, even played with her granddaughter at the table. Everything looked a little too normal — so much so that it started to feel unsettling. Kristy kept watching her, as if waiting for the mask to slip. But her mom was gentle and smiling — just like she used to be... 

Kristy knew she couldn’t suggest going to a psychologist directly — her mom might take it as betrayal. Her reactions had become unpredictable. That’s why Kristy had a plan B.

A Tricky Suggestion

After breakfast, Kristy spoke hesitantly:
— Mom... I’ve been thinking... There’s a woman not far from here, a coach. Very kind, very smart. She helps families understand each other better. Maybe we could go see her? She’s not a doctor or anything serious — just a conversation, an interesting experience.

Susan frowned:
— A coach? What do I need that for?
Kristy felt like her mother was about to slip into another meltdown and that her whole plan would fall apart...

Kristy Didn’t Give Up

— Mom, it’s just a chat. Sometimes it feels like we don’t really hear each other. I’d love to understand what I might be doing wrong... And maybe you’d want to say something too.

One second of silence felt like an eternity to Kristy. Was her mom about to cry again and storm off?
But to Kristy’s surprise, Susan nodded:
— Okay. Why not.
Kristy nearly cried from relief.

The Exciting Visit

The next day they went. Susan still thought it was just a "coach." Kristy stayed quiet — this was her only chance to figure out what was happening to her beloved mom.
The office was cozy, with soft lighting, a hint of lavender in the air, and books on the shelves. The psychologist, a woman in her forties with an attentive gaze, greeted them warmly.

The conversation started slowly. The psychologist asked simple questions — about family, mood, habits.
Then she turned to Susan:
— Susan, tell me, what’s been hurting or upsetting you lately?
Susan stayed silent at first. Then suddenly burst into tears and gave a shocking confession...

Words That Shook Kristy

Through sobs, Susan said without hesitation:
— Everyone... They laugh at me. All the time.
Kristy nearly fell off her chair in shock but said nothing.
The psychologist leaned forward slightly:
— Can you remember the last time you felt that way?

Susan clenched her fingers and shook her head:
— I can’t remember... But it happened. I know it did.
The tears kept rolling down her cheeks. The psychologist nodded but something shifted in her eyes — a flash of concern. She still behaved calmly but inside, alarm bells were going off. The way Susan was reacting could point to something far more serious than just stress or exhaustion...

Kristy’s Heart Started Racing...

The psychologist was extremely professional. Despite her own worries, she didn’t interrupt the session. She gave Susan time and closed the meeting as gently as possible. But at the end, she asked:
— Kristy, can I speak to you alone for a moment?

Susan stood up, smiling innocently:
— I’ll go get us some coffee. Don’t be long!
— Mom, I’ll catch up with you.
Susan left, and Kristy stayed behind, unaware that she was about to hear words that would change everything.

A Terrifying Suspicion

The psychologist closed the door and slowly sat down across from Kristy. Kristy looked at her anxiously, still hoping to hear something like, “A bit of rest and everything will be fine.”

But instead, the psychologist took a deep breath and said:
— I don’t want to scare you. But your mother’s behavior, her emotional responses, and especially the fact that she can’t recall details — all of that raises serious concerns.
Kristy turned pale:
— What kind of concerns?

The Diagnosis That Creeps In Quietly

The psychologist hesitated, then continued:
— This may be linked to a neurodegenerative process. Sometimes this is how dementia begins. Sometimes — other forms of cognitive decline. I can’t make a diagnosis, I’m not a neurologist. But you need to see a specialist. As soon as possible.

Kristy couldn’t speak for a long time. The psychologist’s words echoed in her mind, and her heart pounded in panic.
— I... I thought it was just exhaustion...
— I was hoping for that too. But I’m afraid it may be more serious...

How to Explain Everything to Susan?

Light footsteps sounded outside the door — Susan was coming back.
The psychologist stood up:
— Try not to panic. Just start the tests. This is only the beginning.
Kristy nodded, as if half-asleep. She opened the door and saw her mom holding two cups of coffee.

— Well, Kristy, are we going?
And Kristy already knew: they were stepping into a completely different reality. And there was no time left to delay.

Suspicious Cheerfulness on the Way Back

In the car, her mom was surprisingly upbeat. She laughed, talked about how nice it was to talk to the “coach,” and how important it is to sometimes just let things out. It seemed like the morning’s tears had evaporated without a trace.
— Sorry, sweetie, that I cried like that the other day, — Susan said cheerfully. — It all just built up and spilled out. And your coach — she’s a gem! There should be more like her.

Kristy nodded with a forced smile, while inside, she was feverishly thinking how to steer the conversation toward the real issue — they needed to start a full neurological evaluation as soon as possible.

A Soft Lie to Save Her

Riding the wave of her mom’s good mood, Kristy made a move. She had to seize the moment while her mom was open and trusting.
— Mom... listen... while you were getting coffee, she — the coach — recommended one thing, — Kristy began cautiously. — There’s a great doctor at their center. A neurologist. Maybe he’ll just give you some vitamins. So you won’t feel so tired all the time, or tear up so easily...

— Vitamins? — her mom perked up. — That’s actually a good idea! No one’s prescribed me anything in ages, just those silly supplements. Maybe he really will recommend something good.
Kristy breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She was speaking to her mom as if she were a child — only that way could she avoid conflict lately. The most important thing was that her mom agreed.

A One-Way Ticket

In reality, this wasn’t just a “check-up.” It was the first step on a long and painful journey. A journey that neither of them fully understood yet. Susan, laughing and full of energy in that moment, had no idea that in just a week, she would hear words that make your knees go weak. That tests would begin — MRIs, cognitive screenings. 

That Kristy would secretly read medical articles at night and cry in the bathroom while her husband thought she was just tired. Susan was only 59... But in a few days, doctors would say: her brain was functioning like that of an eighty-year-old. It had already begun to degrade — and that wasn’t even the worst part...

A Morning That Started With a Smile — But Not for Kristy

Kristy hadn’t slept a minute all night. She tossed and turned, got up, lay back down again. Her mind kept replaying the same scene over and over: the psychologist’s words, her mother’s tears, that strange empty stare. She tried to figure out how to explain to her mom that things were far more serious than they seemed. But unlike Kristy, in the morning Susan was lively and cheerful again. She made toast, hummed to the radio, and didn’t show even a trace that anything was wrong. On the contrary — it seemed like she had completely forgotten yesterday’s tears. 

Kristy barely held herself back from watching her with too much worry. Her main task was not to scare her off.
Her husband and daughter were still sleeping when Kristy and her mom quietly left the house. Not a single person knew that this could be the beginning of the end...

The Doctor’s Office

The neurologist’s office was strict, without warmth but filled with a particular kind of silence — almost like a courtroom, where sentences are handed down. The doctor turned out to be a man in his fifties — restrained, attentive, without unnecessary softness. He got straight to business:
— Susan, I’m going to give you a couple of simple tasks. Just answer them, no need to worry, okay?

Susan smiled:
— Of course! I’m feeling great today.
— Then let’s begin. Subtract seven from one hundred. Then subtract another seven. And so on.
Susan paused. Her gaze became unfocused, as if she were getting lost in her own thoughts...

The Doctor Who Already Suspected Everything

Susan got the first two answers right. Then — a pause... She glanced at her daughter like a schoolgirl hoping for a hint.
— Oh... — she sighed. — I’m confused.
— That’s okay, — the doctor nodded. — Now, please draw the face of a clock. Any time — let’s say ten minutes to eight.

Susan picked up the pen, then suddenly stopped. She turned to Kristy, and her face showed complete and honest confusion.
— Remind me... — she whispered. — Twelve is the top, right?
Kristy was stunned...

A Silence That Screams Louder Than Words

Kristy felt her throat tighten from fear for her mother. Sitting next to her was the woman she loved most — who now didn’t know where the top of a clock was. That hesitation, that lost expression — it was like a cold slap in the face.

The doctor, without saying anything, made a note in the file and continued the test. Kristy already knew — whatever came out of her mom’s mouth next would be terrifying. But even more terrifying was realizing that the way back was already gone.

The Diagnosis Was Even More Terrifying Than Anyone Could Have Imagined

Susan was once a gifted artist. Her hands seemed to bring paper to life — she would draw everywhere: on napkins, on wallpaper, on old receipts. But now, when the doctor gave her the simple task, “Draw a circle,” she just stared at the page, as if she didn’t understand where to begin. Her fingers trembled. The pen barely touched the paper — and then stopped. Susan lowered her gaze, trying to hide her confusion. She had failed the test... Immediately after that, they scheduled an MRI. Brain scans... then the waiting, the silence from the doctors. 

And finally — the result, which sounded to Kristy like a sentence...
— Your mother has Alzheimer’s disease, — the doctor said calmly. — Early onset. We’re sorry.
It felt like something inside Kristy broke. She was listening but not really hearing. More than that, she felt like the diagnosis was wrong — she simply couldn’t believe it. Something didn’t add up...

The House That Turned Into a Hospital Room

Worried and uncertain, Kristy, her husband, and their daughter temporarily moved in with Susan. It seemed like the best decision: to be close, to watch over her, to help. None of them suspected that what lay ahead would not be relief — but an even more horrifying discovery. A strong bond formed instantly between the grandmother and the granddaughter. Susan would sit for hours next to the little girl, holding her hand, trying to hum old lullabies. But Kristy couldn’t leave them alone — Susan’s condition became too unpredictable. 

She could forget how to turn on the stove, forget to unplug the iron, walk into a room and leave her granddaughter unattended. She could no longer read bedtime stories. She couldn’t draw with her. And although her eyes still held a flicker of light, Kristy could see — it was fading...

A New Diagnosis No One Expected

Four months passed. Kristy didn’t give up — she kept rereading symptoms, searching online, convinced that the doctors had made a mistake... She took her mother to the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney. Deep diagnostics. A consultation with a geriatrician. And then, finally, what she had long suspected was confirmed.
— Your mother doesn’t just have Alzheimer’s, — the doctor said. — It’s posterior cortical atrophy. A rare form. It affects the occipital part of the brain. The person loses the ability to process visual information...

Kristy nodded silently. The fear inside her was even stronger than after the first diagnosis. The disease could progress slowly. Or quickly. Some lived with it for five years. Some — twenty. And some — faded within mere months...

Happiness Through Tears

Amid all this pain, there were still moments of light. Kristy became pregnant again. The new baby became her salvation — and a reminder that life continues. Susan, barely understanding what was going on anymore, still felt joy... But even that wasn’t easy.
— Mom, just give me a second, I’ll help you right away, — Kristy said while putting her younger daughter to bed.

And Susan was already standing at the door, holding her shoelaces in her hands.
— Why aren’t you coming? I can’t… I don’t know how to…
She stared at them, confused, as if they were some kind of puzzle.
Just a few months ago, Susan was strolling through local markets with her friends. And now — she was bedridden. Her gaze was more and more often empty...

Two Worlds — And One Canvas

Balancing motherhood and slowly saying goodbye to her own mother was unbearable. But Kristy found a way to survive. She took out her brushes and began to paint. At first — abstract shapes, colors, emotions. Then — faces. Memories. Her mother in the garden, a laughing girl, the flowers Susan used to love so much. She returned to art. But this time — as a lifeline... On October 21, 2024, Kristy posted a touching photo on Instagram. 

@kristyadlerart/Instagram.com

In it, she was painting with one of her little daughters — in memory of her mother, to tell the world who she once was... a brilliant artist. Susan is now in a care home, where she is receiving the attention she needs, and no one can predict how many months or days she has left... but Kristy continues to show her strength and remind everyone — through her paintings — just how beautiful her mother truly is.