Divorce: Pat Robertson says it's ok if your spouse has Alzheimer's!

[John21652]

Actually, it can and does change a person’s personality. Years ago a friend’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Before, he was the kindest, gentlest, nicest man. He treated his wife very well. As the disease progressed, he became violent and struck out at people, including his wife. He tried to set his house on fire. He threw things at people.

There are lots of things in life that change the way people think. Sure, Alzheimers can have dramatic effects on the way people think and behave and we know it’s not the normal behaviour of the person concerned and can be very trying for those closest to the victim. I’ve only had one experience of a person with alzheimer’s and that person simply lost all memory over time. As she progressed in her illness, there was no major personlaity change, but she simply forgot everyone and who they were and then even didn’t know herself. Her disease did not cause the terrible personality changes some are reporting here.

My point is, just because a person changes dramatically is no reason to divorce them. That is truly just throwing people onto the scrap heap. By all means, if it becomes impossible to manage them, then institutionalise them when necessary. Along that journey, though, we are obligated to look after and help them as much as possible. Just the love we have for them should cause us to do that. In this day and age, too many people simply walk out of marriages because the other person has “changed”, or they have “changed”. Gee whiz, just having kids changes people. The stress of living changes people. If the ‘change’ in someone is causing diffi culty, then have it dealt with. To simply walk away, as so many do today, is cowardice and a betrayal of the other person and a betrayal of the very concept of loving another.