Letters my Dad will never read
A series of letters written by a daughter to her Dad who is living with young onset dementia
People living with young onset dementia – that is dementia that is diagnosed before the age of 65 – can sometimes feel overlooked, as can their families.
In this series, we have published the letters written by a daughter to her father, who is living with young onset dementia. The letters were a recommended form of self-care, by a therapist with whom the daughter consulted, early in her journey.
The young woman found these letters tucked away early in the summer of 2022, crumpled and a little soiled. She decided to have them published, in order to provide some comfort and community to others living through similar circumstances.
July 2022 (part 1) - introduction to series
This letter introduces our series of three letters, from different time periods, to be published over the next three weeks.
For ease of reading, the typed content of this letter can be found here.
July 2022 - (part 2)
This is the second part of a note written by the young woman, as an introduction to the series of letters published through our blog.
Although this letter is addressed “Dear Dad”, it is also written to the public reading this series.
For ease of reading, the typed content of this letter can be found here.
October 2016 - reflections from the early days
A young woman recently finds out her father has a life-altering, ultimately lethal brain disease. Her journey in processing this information begins.
For ease of reading, the typed content of this letter can be found here.
October 2017 - avalanche of emotions
This letter reflects a daugher’s thoughts and feelings, a few years after she learns that her father has been diagnosed with young onset dementia. Her words reflect her grief, sadness and attempts to accept who he is today.
For ease of reading, the typed content of this letter can be found here.
October 2018: I don't understand why this is happening
This is the last letter written by the daughter, to her father, as part of a self-care exercise that was prescribed by a therapist.
The pain and frustration in this letter are evidence of the very emotional toll a diagnosis of young onset dementia can take on children, and indeed the entire family, of the person who is living with the condition.
For ease of reading, the typed content of this letter can be found here.
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