Dementia stole his golden years. His family donated his brain for research so others wouldn’t suffer too

Dementia stole his golden years. His family donated his brain for research so others wouldn't suffer too

MISCONCEPTIONS, TABOOS

Misconceptions about brain monetary gift and taboos surrounding death continue to persist.  

To begin with, there is the myth that brain retrieval takes place at the forehead, said Dr Sim through BBS.

This misconception often stokes fear in a grieving family that human brain donation “would disfigure the deceased’s face or result in their hair being removed”, which makes it difficult to have an open-casket funeral.  

“This is not the case. The face remains untouched as the brain is gathered from the back of the head, stitched up neatly afterwards and the area is covered by the deceased’s locks … to ensure minimum effect on the appearance from the body, ” explained Dr Sim.  

“Neatening upward of the cut will also be done by BBS’s engaged casket corporation before the body is came back to the family for the funeral. Open-casket funerals can proceed because normal. ”

Death also continues to be a taboo subject in Singapore, added Dr Sim. “Therefore, while individuals might be interested to register as brain donors, it can be challenging to discuss their own end-of-life plans and wishes with their family members or loved ones. ”

But when this kind of open conversations happen during the process of creating their wills plus Advanced Care Preparing, it allows the individual to “reflect on the legacy they want to keep behind”, she mentioned.  

Human brain donation is after that seen as a “natural following step” in making sure they can continue to make a positive change in the lives of future generations once they pass on.  

“It is hard to imagine the depths of frustration caused by neurodegenerative conditions which usually do not have a cure presently, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease, unless you or a loved one has endured from one, ” mentioned Dr Sim.  

Several contributor have shared that “they want some thing good to come from their illness”, she added. By donating their brain for analysis, they hope to “help find a cure designed for or even prevent various other patients from struggling these brain disorders”.

This, too, is the philosophy that will guides the Yips. Being able to contribute to the long run is their way of doing their best in the present.

“It is just not about that change taking place in this life, ” said Vince.  

“Having been through this process, it’s just about sharing our experience. Not only the caregivers’ pain, but also exactly what my dad went through. He was about to retire and had dementia rob him of everything else, of whatever staying years he could have experienced, ” she added.  

“It’s something that you would not want anybody to undergo. ”