Full Donor ListThe Warning Signs
We started noticing my mother's memories had slipped several years ago. During the 2003 Christmas holiday, we went to a hotel for their famous brunch. As usual, we all got up to visit the buffet and indulge until we could no more. I noticed my Mom walking around aimlessly. As I went over to her, she seemed startled at my approach. "What do you want to eat?" I asked her gently. "Oh, you know, the usual." was her noncommittal answer.
In spite of this warning sign she and my dad continued their independent life for several more years, refusing to give up their independence in spite of our begging. As her memory grew worse, she mastered the technique of the elusive "throw-away" answer. My dad supported her deception either by design or by necessity.
Sitting across the table from her during breakfast, we chatted intently about Dad being in the hospital. I had to keep reminding her that he was not well and it was serious. In the midst of this serious talk, she looked at me with clarity in her eyes and simply asked "Now, who are you again?"
What Could I Do?
As a result seeing the impact of Alzheimer's on my mother, it became clear that I had to do something. Recently taking early retirement after 30 years in high tech, I have dedicated my life to my two passions: mountain climbing and my family.
With the summit of Mt. Everest the end climbing goal, I will start the Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits in 2010 - climbs to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's research.
My dream is that researchers can find a way to stop or a cure for this killer of lives and robber of precious lifetime memories.
Memories Are Everything: The 7 Memories is an attempt of the 7 Summits (the highest mountain on each continent) and includes Everest. Fund raising is the primary objective as people follow my climbs through websites as well as through the presentations I am giving at major cities around the world during the climbs.
I am an experienced mountaineer with 18 major expeditions including attempts on Everest and many of the world’s highest mountains. I have attracted a worldwide following by way of my website and the dispatches I post during my climbs. Also I have given many presentations on Alzheimer’s and climbing to a wide variety of audiences.
Fund raising events will include:
- Presentations on climbing Mt. Everest
- Information on Alzheimer's Disease
- Local climbs to raise money
- Ongoing informational emails, websites and mailing
Please Make a Donation Today
You do not have to wait for my climb to make a donation. All donations go to the Alzheimer's Association and none to my climbing so please make the donation from the link on this page today.
To learn more about me or my climbing please visit my site at http://www.alanarnette.com
Guest Book
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Tiffany
Fri, Sep 11, 2009
When I was 2 we went to live with my great- grandfather so my mother could take care of him while he was dying. He had alz. Now my grandmother has early onset of alz. It is hard to deal with it because she is the nicest person in the world. Anyone she meets just loves her. She is in great health and works so hard around the house, in the garden, and to keep my grandpa happy. She is such a good person and to watch her not remember that I am not in highschool anymore and other things is tearing me apart. I cant imagine her forgetting me and our trips to get strawberry smoothies when I was in highschool or walking down town to get ice cream which are memories she is already forgetting. I love her.
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Steve Blethyn
Sun, Apr 19, 2009
You (and Ida of course) have my best wishes for Memories are Everything. I look forward to maybe seeing you on some of the 'Magnificent 7' and like I said before Alan, if there is any way I can help out please ask, if I can't help personally, I may know some UK climbers who can.
Regards Steve http://www.steveblethyn.co.uk |
