Sir Charles Quen Kao, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2009, is visiting Taiwan this week at the invitation of the National Science Council. Since Kao has come down with dementia in 2004, his wife would give a speech on his behalf this time to celebrate his achievements, and share with the public her journey of taking care of a dementia patient.

Thanks to his wife's note, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2009 Sir Charles Kuen Kao was able to write down his name slowly.

Forty-some years ago, Kao came up with the theory behind optical-fiber telecommunications and helped fuel the development of optical-fiber,

the thin waveguides that route light over thousands of kilometers to deliver telephone, TV, and Internet services.

But about 8 or 9 years ago, or even earlier, he came down with dementia.

His wife felt sorry about it as she didn't know her husband's forgetfulness was actually a sign of illness.

Now the renowned scientist doesn't remember the achievement he has reached and his wife's name.

But he looks like a child and is always smiling.

According to his wife, the smart and witty husband is gone.

In the beginning, she was so upset and cannot accept the fact.

But after going through the phases of feeling sad and frustrated, she gradually accepted it.

Now they are to establish a foundation to take care of more elders with dementia and their family members, hoping to help more people to know what dementia is through their experience.