SINAGOT agad ng anak ni Caridad Sanchez na si Cathy Babao ang pahayag ng kapatid na si Alexander Joseph Babao tungkol sa tunay na kondisyon ng kanilang ina.
Sa pamamagitan ng Facebook, isang mahabang mensahe uli ang ipinost ng babaeng anak ng award-winning actress kung saan ipinaliwanag niya kung bakit mas pinili niyang isapubliko ang dementia ng ina kesa itago ito.
Isang litrato nilang mag-ina ang ibinahagi ni Cathy Babao sa FB kung saan isang cupcake na may kandila ang nasa kanilang harapan.
“It was never my intention to disrespect or disparage my mother’s image when I started to write about her dementia on social media. It took me a very long time to decide whether or not I would share our family’s story,” simulang pahayag ng anak ni Caridad Sanchez.
Patuloy pa niya, “I decided to finally write about it for the following reasons.
“1. There is nothing shameful about admitting that a loved one has dementia. It’s a condition that afflicts a huge percentage of the senior population. It’s a condition that is highly misunderstood and sometimes even maligned.
“What persons with dementia need above all is time, patience, love, understanding and respect. To be able to give this, you must understand what dementia looks like and what it requires of the person/s caring for the person with dementia.
“2. In sharing my mother’s story, my only motivation is to help other families understand, and come to an acceptance of their loved one’s condition. I cannot overemphasize the importance of early diagnosis, and acceptance.
“In families where there is no total acceptance, where family members are not on the same page, discord and misunderstanding are most likely to occur. Denial is only to the detriment of the person with dementia,” lahad pa niya.
Sa huli, sinabi ni Cathy na ito na ang huling pagsasalita niya tungkol sa kundisyon ng kanyang nanay.
“This will be the last thing I have to say about this issue.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me. For all for the kind words, pieces of advice, and memories you have shared with me about my mom. It warms my heart to know that you continue to remember her fondly, and hold her in high esteem.
“Mommy is physically strong. No question about that. Decades of daily running and waking have paid off. I am grateful that she is able to still exercise and walk unaided. It is the dementia that is affecting her memory. It is a fact that I have now accepted with all my heart.
“When mommy was widowed in her late 40s, she would often go out of her way to console the newly widowed. She also always carried a soft spot in her heart for the elderly. Growing up, she would always admonish me, ‘Magpakatotoo ka palagi!’
“Knowing mom, she would not want to hide her condition if she knew that sharing our story would help others who are on a similar journey much like the one we find ourselves on right now.”
Bago ito, nag-post nga ang kapatid ni Cathy na si AJ Babao ng official statement hinggil sa health condition ng kanilang pinakamamahal na ina.
“I Alexander Joseph S. Babao, son of Caridad Sanchez Babao, was shocked by the article published by my sister which was done without permission, violating the privacy, legacy and honor of my Mother.
“My Mom has a mild cognitive handicap that goes with aging. But it is unfair for her to be disrespected like this.
“Under my care, she remains very physically fit, a source of wisdom, strength and blessing to me whenever we have our late night mother and son conversations.
“I thank the public who still continue to show their support, love and respect for my mother,” ang pahayag ni Alexander.