Jim, a 55-year-old father of three, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2022. He began to see minor workplace mistakes and have déjà vu type exchanges with others. Simultaneously, he began having memory lapses, which ultimately resulted in his diagnosis. Jim’s diagnosis quickly provoked a dramatic change of heart. It inspired him to make the most of life, to set out on a purposeful quest rich with reconnection to his family.
Though living with the challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s, Jim continues to have a hopeful outlook on life. He co-hosts the popular “Hold The Moment” podcast alongside broadcaster Hamish Macdonald. Together, they work to raise anti-racist awareness and share first-hand experiences with their realities of life with dementia. Jim wants to help destigmatize dementia. His hope for everyone, for anybody receiving a diagnosis, is that should not be the end of joy and fulfillment in your lifespan.
A Family United
Jim’s family includes three children: Millie, Harvey, and Daisy. They have been critical to helping him reach his goal on this adventure. As Jim’s disease progresses, the family realizes the emotional burden it’s placing on every individual member. Millie expressed her feelings candidly, stating, “We’re on a train track to hell, and there’s no stopping the train.” This stark metaphor captures the family’s struggle as they navigate the uncertainties of Jim’s health.
As daunting as these kinds of conversations are, Daisy was able to impart some wisdom on the most difficult conversations they’ll ever have. “The hardest conversations are about what it looks like when he doesn’t remember us,” she remarked. This awareness of potential memory loss creates a complex emotional landscape for the family as they strive to maintain connections and create lasting memories together.
One trip in May 2000 greatly altered his life when he met Tyler. Drawn to each other, the pair got married in a medieval abbey church in the UK. Together, Jim and Tyler have created a life rich with joy, humor, and awe-inspiring experiences. The pair often spend evenings reconnecting with their children at their abode in Brisbane. Family making lasting memories together, Jim’s challenges notwithstanding. They enjoy visiting their family cottage in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Embracing Life’s Moments
Jim’s early diagnosis has given him a chance to think and pursue his dreams. To date, he has put together an extensive bucket list, going through it with gusto and checking things off the list as he completes them. “Dementia isn’t all doom and gloom. I want to cram so much in,” Jim stated. His proactive approach enables him to prioritize experiences that bring joy and meaning to his life and that of his family.
Today, Jim continues to share that journey on his popular podcast, A Sustainable Mind. He is candid about his failures and quick to spotlight his successes. He’s convinced that you can take the most tragic thing and make it hilarious and fun. “You just have to put your mind in focus and do it,” he emphasized. This philosophy continues to steer him and his family. It’s how they’re getting through the woodwork maze that is his autism.
Despite his stubborn resolve to stay optimistic, Jim is quick to admit when he feels hopeless, too. He described times when he would feel overwhelmed after dropping his children off at school: “I’d get them into school and drag myself home and slam the door, shut the curtains, lie on the bed, cry, not eat — just wallow in a black cloud all day.” These raw emotions highlight the reality of living with a progressive condition while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
The Road Ahead
Jim is living nearly the full fortune of almost ten years after his diagnosis. What is less certain is how quickly his condition will necessarily progress. The unpredictability of Alzheimer’s adds another layer of complexity to his family’s journey. Jim expressed his contemplation about strength in facing his diagnosis: “I don’t know if it takes more strength to take control, or more strength to go where you’re going to go.”
He attends school every day ready for anything that comes. He’s especially passionate about showing that a diagnosis doesn’t have to be end of life as you know it. “I have learned that life is not over the minute you get a diagnosis — there is joy to be had,” noted Hamish Macdonald during one of their podcast discussions. This communal feeling of support hardens Jim’s determination to squeeze the most out of life during the time he has left.
Though it hasn’t been easy, Jim walks this journey surrounded by the love and encouragement of his family. His uplifting story connects with anyone who struggles to overcome the odds. He encourages others living with dementia to fight against hopelessness. Instead, he encourages them to accept happiness and treat each day as an adventure.
