Imagine a world without Alzheimer's. What would it look, feel and sound like?
Along with the Alzheimer's Association I have a vision of a world without Alzheimer's. I see a world where wisdom is saved one day.
I see a world where life's lessons are always able to be passed down to the next generation. I see a world were memories are not forgotten. I see a world where family and friends are always known, and never confused or forgotten.
The mission of the Alzheimer's Association is my cause because I have seen first hand how memories, and people with them, can fade away. Wisdom can be lost. While working in a senior living community with assisted living and memory care apartments, I observed many seniors fade over the course of 5 years.
One man I knew started out as a visitor to the community, bringing Catholic church communion to his fellow parish members in Memory Care. Less than 5 years later, this man himself moved into the Memory Care community. His care needs could no longer be met by his family at home.
Another woman I knew was a long-time resident of the Memory Care community. She passed away within my time working for the community. When I read her obituary, I learned about her past, which shared relationship to my own life experiences. She was a dance major in college, went on to be a mother, and later worked in a shoe factory. I never knew these things about her. I knew her only as Julia, a sweet and quiet woman who easily came along to attend community activities and outings. Like Julia, I too had my first career as a dancer, before moving on to other life experiences. Dancers memorize steps, music, and carry performance experiences. With Julia's passing these stories were all lost. I never knew that about her. It made me realize the importance of sharing our life experiences, our memories and wisdom, no matter what.
The work of the Alzheimer's Association forwards research towards finding effective drugs for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. It advocates for more care and support from the national healthcare system to the seniors who face a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. It provides care and support programming, including educational programs and support groups, on a local level through its state chapter system. Lastly, the Alzheimer's Association promotes awareness of the growing epidemic of Alzheimer's.
#ENDALZ. This is my cause.
Review from #MyGivingStory
My mother finally died after a long horrific struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was a sharp, successful business woman with a beautiful spirit and a kind and generous heart. She had early onset Alzheimer's and it was very aggressive, taking her away from the world much too soon. The disease took a terrible toll on Mom and the entire family. Leaving five kids and her own mother to survive her it was heart wrenching to say goodbye in the end. It breaks my heart to know that so many others are suffering the agony of what our family experienced. I know Mom is at peace with God now, but her pain and confusion have left me with a passion and clarity of purpose.
I'm somewhat a technology geek and when Mom was in her final days I decided to take some of my talents and apply them to trying to help fix our broken health care system. I became a sponge, absorbing as much knowledge and understanding of the industry as I could, eventually beginning to wield a bit of influence in the digital health arena.
One day Facebook said, "Good morning Brian, we see that you are interested Alzheimer's research, would you like to help with a fundraiser?" I thought, "Hell yeah!" So of course, I immediately created a fundraiser to support The Alzheimer's Association.
Today, on #GivingTuesday, with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, I hope to see even more funds applied to research that will eventually end this evil disease. If the community of advocates, caregivers, researchers and philanthropists work together then we will win this battler. We must not, can not and will not stop until we find a cure.
Review from #MyGivingStory
Three years ago, I returned home to Indiana and accompanied my mother to a doctor's appointment'that is when my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The doctor sat us down and explained that my mother had Alzheimer's disease and that there was no cure. There was nothing that we could do for my mother, nothing to stop the progression of the disease. There were no resources or help offered. I left that doctor's appointment feeling devastated and hopeless.
I searched for answers and understanding. While researching the disease, I found the Alzheimer's Association. Feeling as if I had nowhere to turn, and in need of help, I called the Greater Indiana Chapter and spoke with a care consultant.
That 45-minute phone call saved my life. They were able to provide me a sense of calm, and let me know that I was not alone in this journey. We scheduled a meeting to further discuss the best path forward.
I took part in a care consultation and received information on the disease and local resources, including education and support offered by the Association, which I soon attended.
I can't express enough how important it is to educate yourself on the disease when beginning this journey. It allows you to make the best decisions for you and your family. The education and support of the Alzheimer's Association saved me from being forced into crisis mode later.
Armed with information and support, and an upbringing of giving back to my community, I decided to become an integral player in the fight to end Alzheimer's by joining the Greater Indiana Chapter's team of clinical engagement volunteers.
I didn't want any other family to experience the overwhelming sadness that I did when leaving that doctor's appointment. It would have taken just 5 minutes for the doctor to let us know about the care and support services of the Association. Because of that, I was impassioned to make a difference, and educate the medical community about the Alzheimer's Association.
Two years after my mom's diagnosis, my dad was diagnosed with severe dementia. Despite having moved back to Indiana a year prior to help, and living just a few houses down the street, I was no longer able to provide care for both of my parents.
The most important thing to me was knowing that my parents were safe. With help, I found the right assisted living facility for my parents where they could be together. Their well-being and happiness was important.
In September 2016, I took my passion to end Alzheimer's one-step further by joining the Greater Indiana chapter professionally as the Associate Director of Clinical Engagement. In this position, I work closely with volunteers to educate clinicians and other clinical providers about the services of the Association and the importance of an early diagnosis.
My caregiving journey is not over yet, but I have been able to reflect back on my experience.
The best advice I could offer is to not put it off or ignore signs--be proactive and try to learn as much as you can. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. You are not alone, and there are resources available to help!
Review from #MyGivingStory
My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I was there through every step. Watching him go from a strong, independent, bigger than life man to someone who forgot names and then his own address. To when he had to move in with me for his own safety. To forgetting me addressed eventually passing. Without the Alzheimer's Association and all they do and offer, I don't know how I could have made it through.
So every year they have a Walk to End Alzheimer's. I worked with my husband and our friend, and we raised over $1,000 for our first walk. We will continue to support them and wait for "the first survivor ".
Review from #MyGivingStory
My grandfather was the most brilliant man I ever knew. Sure, everyone says that, and everyone believes it, but I think my Papa had a strong case. He built houses and cars. He was the Head of Design Staff at GM. He was a Naval Aviator. He held multiple college degrees. If there was a problem, he was the guy you wanted to fix it. If he didn't have the solution, he could damn sure build one.
Which made it all the more painful to see Alzheimer's disease take it all away. It started innocuously enough ' forgetting a detail here, retelling a story there. It was easy to write off as old age, even for someone as sharp as he was. But then the big things began to disappear. Names. Places. Faces. Relationships. Nothing can prepare you for the experience of a loved one forgetting who you are ' or forgetting who they are.
Back then, my family didn't know much about Alzheimer's disease. We didn't know about the Alzheimer's Association. But we were lucky to have a supportive family who could help my grandmother provide care. Many don't have that luxury. That's why the care, support, research, and education programs of the Alzheimer's Association are so important. With their help, no family has to face this disease alone. That's why we work so hard to support their efforts.
Because Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Because every 68 seconds someone else is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Because there is currently no cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease. Because, shockingly, only 45% of people with Alzheimer's disease or their caregivers report being told of their diagnosis.
After my Grandfather passed in 2005, my family began to participate in Alzheimer's Association fundraisers. We have joined in their fundraiser walks for 10 years, raising more than $30,000 in two states as a family since getting involved in 2005. This money helps fund groundbreaking research in prevention, treatments, and cures, care & support programs for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, and educational resources that can make the diagnosis and caregiving processes less frightening for those who go through them.
In 2013, I took the next step in supporting the Alzheimer's Association, by helping found the Young Professional Alzheimer's Advocates of Lansing (YPAAL), a group of young people dedicated to serving our community by raising awareness and providing support for Alzheimer's Association programs, services, events, and families affected by this disease. In the nearly four years that YPAAL has existed, we have raised over $50,000 for the Alzheimer's Association and performed more than 175 hours of volunteer service to the community. And we're just getting started.
Some wonder why young people would commit their time, energy, and passion so fully to curing a disease commonly thought of as a problem for seniors. But if you take the time to speak to our members, you will understand. We know how devastating this disease is. We know how important these resources are. I urge you to join us in this cause as we do everything we can to end Alzheimer's once and for all.
Review from #MyGivingStory