By my estimation memory loss ended my career 12 years before I was ready or able to retire. Even worse, in the four years since, the doctors haven’t been able to determine what happened or whether my memory will ever improve.

It is 3 o’clock in the morning and my thoughts are too busy for sleep, so I pick up my pen.

COVID-19 threw an interesting twist into a recent visit with the memory specialist. I was advised by e-mail my appointment would be conducted via video e-consult. I looked at the Bride and wondered, “What is e-consult?” The next morning we were staring into our laptop where the specialist appeared. 

Harry McAvoy is the former Manager, Major Gifts and Corporate Campaigns for ShareLife in the Archdiocese of Toronto. He shares his story of dealing with memory loss.

It is interesting where your mind goes in your darkest hours. I remembered a phrase attributed to my Uncle Basil O’Rourke: “Carry your cross, don’t drag it.” Now, as I carry the cross of memory loss, Uncle Basil is whispering in my ear.