Hello, I’m Debbi McCune.

For more than 33 years, I shared my life with my husband, Doug. Dementia became part of our story in 2013, when he was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, followed by mixed dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2016.

For many years, I wrote from inside that experience, as Doug’s wife and care partner, trying to understand what was happening while still finding ways for us to live, laugh, travel, love, and remain us.

Doug has since passed away, but I haven’t stopped writing.

In fact, distance has given me a different perspective on some of those years. There are things I understand now that I couldn’t always see while I was busy living them. Sometimes I look back and recognize what dementia was asking of Doug. Sometimes I recognize what it was asking of me. And sometimes I simply remember something that makes me laugh.

My experience with Doug eventually led me deeper into dementia education and advocacy. I co-founded Living Well With Dementia Sisters, served for six years as a volunteer Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association, and became a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional. I also trained as a dementia doula and end-of-life doula. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting and educating families who were finding their own way through dementia.

That work grew out of my life with Doug. But this blog has always been something different.

This is personal.

It is the story of loving someone with dementia. Of getting things wrong and learning along the way. Of frustration, tenderness, exhaustion, ridiculous moments, grief, and a surprising amount of joy.

When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me at home in Central Oregon with the Furry McCune’s, working on some project I probably didn’t need to start, or planning the next iteration of work.

I’m glad you found your way here.