Episode 19: Tracey Lind on dancing with dementia
The Very Reverend Tracey Lind was one of the most vibrant preachers in Cleveland, Ohio, until a diagnosis of dementia interrupted her life, or perhaps, just changed the music to her dance with God.
God spoke to Tracey Lind in 1984 at a McDonald’s on 42nd Street in New York City and called her to ministry. That’s where she began her dance with God, a God she calls her dancing partner.
For 17 years, Tracey served as Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a thriving and diverse urban congregation devoted to Cleveland and its future.
Now her future is a mystery, one her faith is strong enough to face.
My takeaways:
When something ends, something new is being born.
Use your S.H.I.E.L.D. to help you: Sleep, Handle stress, Interact socially, Exercise, Learn new things, have the right Diet.
What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.
“Even Fronto Temporal Dementia is a gift. It’s an opportunity to get closer to life.”
“Faith is a two-way street. It’s a gift from God and a decision to accept the gift.”
Official Bio:
The Very Rev. Tracey Lind is a retired Episcopal priest, author, city planner and community organizer whose ministry has included work for social and environmental justice, interfaith relations, sustainable urban development, arts, culture, and progressive theology. On Election Day 2016, she was diagnosed with early-stage Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) prompting her unexpected retirement as Dean of Cleveland’s Trinity Cathedral.
While life has changed dramatically, the diagnosis hasn’t stopped Tracey from searching for new purpose and focusing on what she still has to give. In addition to preaching and teaching around the world, Tracey serves on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) Think Tank and is a board member for the Episcopal Church Pension Fund and Judson Services Foundation. For over two years, Tracey has traveled with her spouse and care partner, Emily, throughout the United States and Europe sharing insights gained from a life complicated by dementia. You can visit her online at traceylind.com.
Website:
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