Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

But Dad Remembers Everything: A Conversation of FTD with Jeff Ton


Listen Later

Has the thought of becoming an unexpected caregiver for a LOVED ONE ever crossed your mind? Imagine the journey of a man thrown into this role, tasked with caring for his charismatic and beloved father after his mom dies. Join J Smiles as she welcomes Jeff Ton, whose heartfelt story ushers us into the emotional rollercoaster that is Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) caregiving. 

Against the backdrop of the shared love and respect for his father, a revered doctor and bishop, Jeff navigates us through the intense, sometimes baffling journey of a dementia with memory attached. He opens up about the struggle to get the correct diagnosis for his father and the unique strategies they adopted to keep up with his father's changing reality. His father's insistence on maintaining a sharp appearance, even as his condition worsened, is a testament to the human spirit and the complexities of FTD.

There is a wealth of insight in Jeff's story. He underscores the importance of self-care your way, the need for strong advocacy, and the tough decisions in telling your LO no. 

J and Jeff giggle throughout over the humorous antics of his father. 

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw
Patreon: https://patreon.com/jsmilesstudios
TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J SmilesBy J Smiles

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

39 ratings


More shows like Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,763 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,090 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,245 Listeners

The One You Feed by iHeartPodcasts

The One You Feed

2,516 Listeners

Death, Sex & Money by Slate Podcasts

Death, Sex & Money

7,729 Listeners

Serial by Serial Productions & The New York Times

Serial

74,960 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,558 Listeners

Thanks For Asking by Feelings & Co.

Thanks For Asking

13,264 Listeners

Therapy for Black Girls by iHeartPodcasts and Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.

Therapy for Black Girls

5,616 Listeners

Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne by Corinne Crabtree

Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne

7,512 Listeners

Oprah's Super Soul by Oprah

Oprah's Super Soul

32,078 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

26,812 Listeners

Chasing Life by CNN

Chasing Life

8,238 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,901 Listeners

Uncared For by Lemonada Media

Uncared For

148 Listeners