Hi guys! Thank you for all the kind responses. Gerard passed away this morning, almost a year after this talk was filmed. I'm glad I could share my memory of him with you.

Touching and positive. Ray Bradbury wrote a story about an older man who traveled back to his childhood town because as a kid he had hidden a note to his future self up in a tree - He had long since forgotten what he had written. He arrives, the tree is still there, he climbs it, and finds the note - which reads "I remember you."

I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful and touching tribute to your grandfather. My grandma also "lights up" when she sees me, although many times she can't say who I am... It has been tough! Your talk made me feel good. Thank you Peder. Natalia

The treasure of the silent self... Thank you Peder - for this powerfull and genuine emotion!

Beautiful song and tribute to your grandfather, Peder. Also enjoyed your talk and the message.

That was one of the best and most relatable explanations of Alzheimer's I've ever heard. My grandmother had Alzheimer's, and now I understand a little more about what was happening. Your story of your grandfather was extremely touching, and I think you did an amazing job talking about such a personal and painful experience with a wonderful blend of professionalism and love. The song, written from the point of view of the person with Alzheimer's, had me in tears. Thank you for this talk.

Peter Berggren I feel sorry for the loss and at the same time appreciate your style and understanding of the complex problem which you explained in simple language

we will all forget who we were one day. tragic would be not to have anything remarkable to forget and it sounds like that wasn't the case with your grandfather. plus he left at least one remarkable piece of himself for us to listen to in Ted. All the best and thank you very much

Lovely, beautiful piece. so sorry for your loss.. you're amazing! God Bless you.

This is truly the best of TED talks :'(

Wow! Didnt expect the song too that was nice! But thank you for the talk it made me feel better for understanding that the love in the person is there even if they couldn't declare it (which hurt me before when I experienced a similar situation without being able to declare that whole intuition knowledge and thereby accept that it exists!)... I am also trying to practice to hone in on the non-declaring aspect of self (obviously, not exactly with this post ;). ) I think it is a balance and energetically speaking good to keep in balance!

Thanks for a positive look at the unavoidable.

He's so darling.

Touching talk. Alzheimer's is very interesting, can definitely learn from it. Forgetting yourself.

Made me cry :'). Very sweet.

amazing story and amazing singing! so true!

never thought i would be excited about getting alzhiemers but here we are

Now there's a smile on my face. :)

I came here for an answer, i got it. I remember when i became self aware. The actual moment. I was in a gym at a afterschool extravaganza(elementary school) and i just had the sensation of being like an animal. Other kids zooming past, the ambiance of 100 kids playing. I was running, no idea to where. But just running. And all of a sudden i just stopped, looked around. Took it all in, and looked at my hands and legs, covered in confetti and sweat, marker and dirt. My face was warm, and i had the sudden urge to hide from people. Like i went from being what my eyes where seeing and my legs feeling to this self conscious being feeling like ive just woken up. Its strange. I dont think ive ever lived life that way since. Its all about what people think of me, not what i experience. Id like to change that.

Aweome stuff!!!!!!!

This is brilliant.

this is so beautiful

Beautiful song and talk. :-)

I look myself in the mirror and forgot myself it is sooo scarryyyy

Well I clicked the thumbs up for like it but it was only because there is no icon for love it.

Quietness by Rumi Inside this new love, die. Your way begins on the other side. Become the sky. Take an ax to the prison wall. Escape. Walk out like somebody suddenly born into color . Do it now. You’re covered with thick cloud. Slide out the side. Die and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign that you’ve died. Your old life was a frantic running from silence. The speechless full moon comes out now.

Voice over lyrics: oh the whales and moon take on the camels back, the snake tail shifts in an elephants tooth, the oceans cry while antelope stairs , and chicken cries no more.....ooooh yaaaa .....the turtle has no sheets. And the crooked line escapes its cave, and the fish morphs down the spatula fork, oooh yaaa.. ya ya ya,, oh oh oh, ya! Let no man receive you.

crying thanks

Really nice guy

Love cannot kill.

the way he speaks is extremely annoying.. can't watch anymore...