Granville Johnson - Prince George Honouree

2019 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's

 

“The day will come, when all I ask, believe and need, is that the ones that I love … will remember me, remember me, remember me.”

Granville Johnson’s song The Day Will Come, a chant set to music and rhythm, puts his own dementia journey into words with undeniable power and resonance. Since his diagnosis in 2016, the musician, artist, two-tour Vietnam War vet, father and captivating storyteller has thrown open a window into his experience through his music, an expression of his vulnerability, fear, humour and hope living with dementia.

“What I’m trying to do is to feel good, even though I’m having to let go of more and more of myself,” Granville says. “I call it allowing yourself to be happy-sad. In order to maximize your quality of life, you have to be positive, but within that you have the deep sadness of impending death.”

Granville has led an epic life and doesn’t fear death. He’s seen loved ones through their passing, and himself was resuscitated in Vietnam – “been there, done that and I’ll do it again,” he says with a laugh. It’s the idea of losing his ability to communicate that makes him anxious. To lessen the stress, Granville, a Chicago native, now leads a quiet life with his partner Birgit in Sinclair Mills, a small community located on the north bank of the Fraser River between McGregor and Longworth. He chooses to live each day with grace and he speaks openly about his diagnosis.

“As I interact with people, I tell them I have dementia, so I don’t have to pretend.”

Granville and Birgit connected to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. through the Shaping the Journey education session, which dispelled myths and helped the pair improve their communication. He encourages other people facing similar situations to do the same, and above all listen to themselves.

“Hang onto the happy while sad. Stay in tune with yourself, feel the fear, anxiety and depression – then pump yourself full of positive energy.”