80th BIRTHDAY

My name is Halima Maharaj and I will be celebrating my 80th birthday in November.  I am the mother of seven, I have ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  I migrated to New York City in 1969 with little money and education, I was headed for a better life.
During the early years, I did housekeeping and home care for the aged.  Then I started working for a major airline; catering for first class passengers.  I had the opportunity to be trained as a technician operating the mammogram machine at the American Cancer Society. 
After twelve rewarding years at the American Cancer Society, I became a bus matron for special needs children. I felt like a child again being around those kids, whom I loved dearly.
About seven years ago, I noticed that I was misplacing everyday things like my car keys, my glasses and so on.  Soon, I started forgetting where I parked the car and how to get to my destination.  I lost my interest in one of my favourite pastimes, sewing.
I became moody as I tried to come to terms with my situation.  I felt alone dealing with this inner turmoil, my independence and my memory was gradually slipping away from me.  I was diagnosed with Dementia in 2011 and I have slowly accepted my condition… “ I do forget”.
I am now retired and back home in the land of my birth.  Some days are harder than others but I have the will to challenge myself.  I take each day as it comes with my loving husband at my side.  I am surrounded by my supportive family and friends who help me to cope.
It has been a childhood dream of mine to visit Europe and this summer, I will get that opportunity.  So I am really looking forward to it, I thank God every day that I am still mobile and don’t have any major medical problems. 
-Halima Maharaj
​June 2016