Dear ISKCON Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We are deeply saddened to share the difficult news regarding the health of His Holiness Giriraja Swami. Maharaja has been diagnosed with Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD). This degenerative neurological disorder has been increasingly affecting him over the past three years, with more significant clinical symptoms emerging in the last year.
This cruel disease is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in severe changes to behavior and personality. These include: impaired judgment, socially inappropriate behavior, apathy, sexual indiscretion, and compulsive tendencies.
Medical evaluations, including MRI scans (May 2024) and neurocognitive testing, have confirmed Maharaja’s diagnosis and the further progression of the condition since previous tests.
The GBC has sought and received a second, independent medical opinion that fully confirms the initial diagnosis.
This significant cognitive decline in recent months has rendered Giriraja Maharaja vulnerable to abuse and exploitation of all kinds with limited ability to process, judge, and react to situations that require higher cognitive functioning. A team of medical specialists and dedicated caregivers, under the guidance of senior Vaishnavas, are providing Giriraj Swami with the support and care he needs.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/gbc-statement-on-the-health-of-hh-giriraja-swami/
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