Michael Joyce suffers from Alzheimer’s/Disphasia. The disease has progressed to the point that he forgot he was married to his wife, Linda Joyce, of 38 years. He did not forget, however, that he was in love with her. Michael, being an honorable man and deeply in love, asked Linda to marry him, again. Thinking he would soon forget the request, Linda happily acquiesced. The next morning though, Michael woke up and asked, “So, when are we doing this?” Linda sought help from locals and the sourrounding community responded enthusiastically. Linda was deeply moved by the celebration: “There’s been a lot of sadness and a lot of frustration. And despite all the fogginess, today has been pure joy.”
See Allision Klein, Husband with Alzheimer’s Forgot he Was Married To His Wife of 38 Years. He Proposed, and They Married Again., The Washington Post, January 25, 2018.
Special thanks to Lewis Saret (Attorney, Washington, D.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
