Longtime AFTD volunteer Sheryl Whitman sat down with the hosts of the Lembre de mim podcast in a special two-part episode where she discussed living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). 

No episódio intitulado “Sheryl, Pt. 1”, Whitman shared her journey towards a PPA diagnosis and how she manages daily living amid the disease. Whitman is o podcast’s first guest Quem is diagnosed with FTD.  

“The first thing I noticed was that I couldn’t remember words. For me, that was weird because I had such a great vocabulary. To forget words wasn’t me,” Whitman shared during the episode. “I can’t understand everything that’s being said to me anymore. There’s a disconnect between the brain and what’s being heard. It comes out unrecognizable.” 

Whitman also spoke of noticing dela other initial PPA-related symptoms, such as stammered speech, frequent tripping and falling, a decline in judgment, e increased apathy.  

“I see my kids, and I love them, but I don’t always have that feeling — that warm feeling you have when you love your kids,” Whitman said.  

Since her diagnosis in 2013, Whitman has found a passion in advocacy work for persons impacted by FTD, which she says é now her purpose in life. She leads an online support group of more than 250 members and volunteers her time and efforts to provide a first-person narrative of what it’s like to live with PPA. Whitman recently joined dementia–care education specialist Teepa Snow on her on-line Series “Courageous Conversations”.

“I had to find a new purpose, which is advocating and supporting until I can’t do it anymore,” Whitman shared.  

Throughout the month of February, Lembre de mim partnered with AFTD for the 10th anniversary of the With Love campaign, releasing special Com amor-themed episodes of the podcast each week.   

Listen to Sheryl Whitman’s episode of Lembre de mim aqui.  

Clique aqui to listen to o especial Com amor-themed episodes of Lembre de mim.