Why i'm in the fight to end alzheimer's
Because no family should be robbed of precious memories with their loved ones because of a disease.
I first learned the word Alzheimer's at 8 years old, when my maternal grandfather was diagnosed.
I learned what the word meant at 19, when grandpa passed away and robbed our families of goodbyes and time with him.
But the sting of Alzheimer's didn't end there, the disease also claimed my paternal great-grandfather's life in 2015.
Alzheimer's has ripped away the patriarchs of my family, more time with each family member diagnosed, and is doing the same to 5.7 million Americans at this very moment.
Alzheimer's changed by vibrant maternal grandfather who learned to waterski at 67 and was always the life of the party, into a small, frail man who needed help to walk and eat.
Alzheimer's took my paternal great grandfather, a strong World War 2 veteran and frequent pilot, into a man who could barely remember my name.
I'm in the fight to End Alzheimer's because I refuse to let this disease take any more of my family.
I watched this disease cripple our family and devastate everyone in our family as we searched hopelessly for a cure.
I first learned the word Alzheimer's at 8 years old, when my maternal grandfather was diagnosed.
I learned what the word meant at 19, when grandpa passed away and robbed our families of goodbyes and time with him.
But the sting of Alzheimer's didn't end there, the disease also claimed my paternal great-grandfather's life in 2015.
Alzheimer's has ripped away the patriarchs of my family, more time with each family member diagnosed, and is doing the same to 5.7 million Americans at this very moment.
Alzheimer's changed by vibrant maternal grandfather who learned to waterski at 67 and was always the life of the party, into a small, frail man who needed help to walk and eat.
Alzheimer's took my paternal great grandfather, a strong World War 2 veteran and frequent pilot, into a man who could barely remember my name.
I'm in the fight to End Alzheimer's because I refuse to let this disease take any more of my family.
I watched this disease cripple our family and devastate everyone in our family as we searched hopelessly for a cure.
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I'll never forget the last time I saw my great granddaddy.
Our whole family had gathered to celebrate is 100th birthday, and I remember sitting with him the majority of the party. Grandaddy and his wife, MiMi Anne, lived in my family's neighborhood growing up, so I was always very close with him and my great grandmother. He held my hand so tightly and asked where I was in school, 7 or 8 times, and I always smiled and answered his questions each time. Finally after awhile, he looked down at my hand, and saw that I was wearing some of MiMi Anne's jewelry that she had willed to me. He squeezed my hand a little tighter and looked up at me with tear filled eyes and said "You still wear them!" I swallowed the knot in my throat, because I knew how much he missed her, and replied "Every Day." With a weak Smile. He squeezed my hand again and patted my arm, and I stayed with him until well after the presents had been opened and the party was over. |
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Holding Great Granddaddy's hand at his 100th birthday party.
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Grandaddy passed away later that year.
I refuse to let this keep happening to grand children everywhere, because everyone deserves the chance to say goodbye, and to make memories with their loved ones. There are more than 16.2 million Americans caregiving for someone with Alzheimer's disease right now. Every 65 seconds someone develops this incurable disease. Every 65 seconds, one more child looks into the eyes of their grandparents to be met with confusion, terror, and frustration because of Alzheimer's disease. I work with the Alzheimer's Association in an effort to find a cure for Alzheimer's, so that one day, this disease is nothing more than a distant memory. Below are links that you can use to write your local congressman or legislator to cosponsor Alzheimer's and healthcare friendly legislation, to create a world without Alzheimer's disease. |
How You can help
Join us at our events on the Memories Matter tab, donate to my team, join a Walk Team, or send me a message on the contact page!
Share your story on Maria Shriver's Big Wall, or read about others' stories by clicking here.
