Hi there, awesome readers!
First of all, I’m sorry. (Oops. My Canadian is showing. As obvious by my apology.)
If the title of this post led you to believe that I have Alzheimer’s disease, let me assure you that I do not. Well, as far as I know. If you know me in real life you KNOW that I have a terrible memory. So me having Alzheimer’s is not that far of a stretch.
Proof point: I can plan my own surprise birthday party and still be like, “Awww. You GUYS. You shouldn’t have. Look at me. I’m blushing.”
(Theoretically, it would still be a surprise party since everyone I invite would be looking at me and thinking, “What. Is. She. Talking. About?” So technically somebody would be surprised.)
Why all this talk about Alzheimer’s? Because my most recent copywriting project is for a client in the health industry. Out of respect for this client, I can’t say too much here but I can say that this client is focused on developing a tool for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Said another way, this client is in the disease industry.
Regardless, I think we can all agree:
Alzheimer’s disease SUCKS.
One of the many stats I’ve learned since starting this project:
1 out of 9 people over the age of 65 years of age suffers from Alzheimer’s.
Dear researchers:
We’re all creeping up to that age so HURRY UP and find a cure.
During the process of working on this project … the research … the writing … I’ve been questioning my own mental health as proven by my internal question-and-answer sessions lately.
Question: Where are my keys?
Answer: Holy crap! I HAVE ALZEIMER’S.
Question: Why is my head in the fridge?
Answer: Holy crap! I HAVE ALZEIMER’S.
Question: Um … What was I just saying?
Answer: Holy crap! I HAVE ALZEIMER’S.
Of late, no matter what the question, the answer is always, Holy crap! I HAVE ALZEIMER’S.
(Of late? Who says that???)
All this to say that clearly I’m going through something. And in case you’ve ever wondered, THIS is what it’s like to be a freelance writer: you get to discover all sorts of worldly things. The good, the bad, AND the ugly.
It’s why I love freelancing. It’s also why I hate freelancing.
Normal people usually just get to read about a topic. And of course that topic – whether it be a serious topic like animal abuse, or a feel-good topic like someone helping a homeless person – always affects you in some way because learning about the world is another way of learning about yourself.
When you read, you learn something. You relate to it. You walk away a little sadder or a little happier.
But …
Warning: I’m about to go deep here.
When you write about a topic your capacity for learning is brought to a whole new level. As my friend Antonia loves to say, “Fuhgeddaboudit!”
Write about a topic and you BECOME the topic.
Sometimes you even want to tattoo an “out of order” sign on your face and crawl between your dogs and stay there forever.
This, by the way, is the second occupational hazard of being a writer.
To read about the first occupational hazard you’ll have to read this post. Not because I’m being a link slut but because I can’t suffer from TWO occupational hazards at the same time. Except that I should be sleeping right now so maybe I AM suffering from two occupational hazards at the same time. I can’t remember. Or possibly I’m too busy suffering from occupational hazards to be able to tell the difference.
All this to say that for the next month or so I will be focusing on this Alzheimer’s project and continue to worry that I have this horrible disease. This is just how writing works. You become the thing. And right now I’m becoming the Alzheimer’s.
Oh and to make matters worse, I learned recently that in the state of Florida, I’m officially a senior citizen.
Lovely. Just freaking lovely.
Oh my goodness this post made me smile and think simultaneously! I agree with you on “becoming the topic” while writing. I had an urgent ten-post series on fencing once (fencing!) and actually loved becoming immersed in the topic.// I think many of us midlifers are getting sucked into the “what if?” Ever since i read “Still Alice,” the little nagging worry in the back of my head has been growing.
I was going to respond with something witty – but I forgot what it was I was going to say or what I’m writing about. Perfect post on my memory.
I love this. I may have to read it again, though.
Third year medical school is called the hypochondria year where the students learn all about diseases and then of course diagnose themselves and everyone else. Here is where we say a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous. Same in your situation but that will pass. Soon you may learning and writing about puppies and kitties and snow drops!
I’ve been a freelance medical copywriter for more than 20 years, so you can just imagine the conditions I’ve been convinced I have! Welcome to the club!
I laughed so hard at this. Being an Alz caregiver and a writer, believe me I get it. I have that conversation with myself several times a day!
Funny stuff! I would totally think I had Alz if I hadn’t been this way since 3rd grade! I know what you mean by getting immersed in a topic. Although I don’t freelance, I help people with their book projects. In order to be helpful, I need to know what they are talking about, so I research it. It’s so fascinating! I’m glad no one has written about Alz yet. I surely don’t want to know!