I Still Love You

Caring for a loved one with dementia is always challenging, but especially when dementia is accompanied by other illnesses. That’s where artist Diane Pontius was when she started caring for and filming her father, Robert Pontius, MD.
Robert Pontius, MD and team of medical professionals in surgery
Submitted by:

Caring for a loved one with dementia is always challenging, but especially when dementia is accompanied by other illnesses, such as heart failure and bipolar disorder. Add to that an 86-year-old former pioneering pediatric heart surgeon, and that’s where artist Diane Pontius was when she started caring for and filming her father, Robert Pontius, MD.  

“I really didn’t understand what dementia was,” Diane says, “I was told he probably only has 2 years to live.” 

As Bob was being diagnosed and treated, Diane spent time learning about his illnesses and adapting to the news. She and her husband coped with this the best way they knew how, as filmmakers.

“We just impulsively started recording,” she says. “And one of the lovely things we discovered was that Bob liked to be recorded.” The activity engaged him intellectually and prompted him to tell his own life story. Diane was surprised by Bob’s many vivid stories of serving as a surgeon in the military as well as working as a pediatric heart surgeon.

Their recordings make up, I Still Love You, a 16-minute film to be completed in 2023 and streamed online. The film contains 10 intimate stories about Bob’s life, work and mental health imaginatively told with narration, family photos, videos and archival footage from the National Archives.

“I wanted to tell the story of my father’s accomplishments,” Diane says, but in context. “He was an individual in a bigger picture.” 

Through the film, Diane hopes viewers will better understand dementia and mental illness. And, perhaps debunk a few myths regarding these topics and how they often intersect.

The film also has themes of educating yourself, advocating for your loved one, and navigating the twists and turns of a journey with dementia.


See the short film, I Still Love You, at dianepontius.com

What is a Spotlight?

The Dementia Arts Spotlight promotes visual and performing artists who are grappling with dementia through original work or innovative arts programs. The Spotlight—in a Q&A format where artists describe the details and significance of their work or program—connects each artist to the Dementia Spring community. Find examples of prior Dementia Arts Spotlights here. Know of an artist whose work should be Spotlighted? Send them this link!

Did you enjoy this content?

A social share is a simple gift ❤️ that helps us increase awareness and expand our reach. All content is produced by a group of dedicated professionals🧑‍💻 living all across the globe. 🌎 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Dementia Spring is a non-profit organization funded by donations from our generous followers. Learn how you can support us.

We also give back with grants for artists and art organizations! 💰

You may also enjoy these artists:

Skip to content