2012年（46）

Having noticed my mistakes and changes in my language, colleagues at work recommended that I consult a doctor.
I was diagnosed with depression and took a six-month leave of absence.

Diagnosis

2014年（48）

I returned to work, and colleagues pointed out my mistakes. My supervisor told me that my depression had gotten worse than before.
I consulted a psychiatrist and asked for an examination of my brain. An MRI scan revealed large holes in my left and right brains in the facial view. I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Because Alzheimer's disease was not understood as "dementia" at the company, I continued working in the same way for about two years.

2017年（51）

My supervisor pointed out that I was making more mistakes and that my condition was getting worse again.
I told the psychiatrist that I would like to know what was wrong with my brain, and, after an isotope examination, I was diagnosed with dementia. I received a medical certificate stating that my symptoms were irreversible and that the prognosis would be poor.

When I submitted the medical certificate as requested by the company, I was told to resign; I was not able to go out for a while.

I moved to Itabashi Ward.

I looked for a job while receiving sickness and injury benefits, but there were no openings. Even when I made it to interviews, there were few openings, and I was assigned to those handling applicants with mental disabilities. The process was time-consuming. I gave up on finding a job and applied for welfare.

A public health nurse in the ward where I used to live made various arrangements for me. When I moved, the nurse contacted a public health nurse of Itabashi Ward, which I was moving into, and asked to visit me. That was how the public health nurse of Itabashi Ward visited me. After I talked with the nurse several times, I told that I would like to know how others with the same disease live and that I would like to speak with them. Then the public health nurse brought me a pamphlet of a group of people with juvenile dementia. I contacted the representative of the group and talked for about an hour.

I joined a BBQ organized by the group and talked with those with the disease, supporters and doctors. For the first time in three years, I was able to smile and have a good time. With the support of the group, I helped out with Chiiki Living activities and cooked meals (as a volunteer), making use of my specialty of cooking.

I transferred to the Psychiatry Department of the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Medical Center near Oyama Station in Itabashi Ward. I was examined by the doctor all over again and underwent an MRI scan, an isotope examination and a psychological examination. Subsequently, I stayed at the hospital for a night for an examination involving an bone marrow fluid extraction. In December, I was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

2018年（52）

My doctor told me that I was eligible for the intractable disease benefits because my disease was designated as an intractable disease. I applied for the benefits.

2019年（53）

I am currently switching to the disability support system from the insurance services that I had been using until May.
A lawyer who I met at the juvenile dementia group became my legal guardian. I am receiving welfare, disability pension, and the intractable disease benefits and having my caseworker and the lawyer who is my adult guardian manage my finances.