Alzheimer's isn't stopping and neither are we. By participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, I'm raising awareness and funds to advance the fight against this disease so no one else has to experience the Long Goodbye.
This is my Story
People say there are times in your life you will face challenges. Ones that will take you to the edge. I never imagined I would experience such a challenge. Not only does it have me teetering on the edge, it's cracked my heart.
We all knew at some point in our lives we would have to witness the aging of our parents. Seeing the gray hair appear, the wrinkling of the skin and slower gate in their steps. It's inevitable. We will all be in those shoes over time.
What I never imagined was to have to witness firsthand the cruelty of Alzheimer's and its ability to decimate the term aging gracefully.
This disease has robbed my father of his last years. To be able to enjoy the age of retirement. Something he's worked hard for. it's stolen his memories of his childhood, the days and years of great times with his siblings. Siblings He no longer knows he ever had. It's erased the memories of his wife of 57 years. How they met, bowling those five decades ago, their wedding, their first home and the birth of their three children. His grandchildren. Memories, consumed, and destroyed. His mind knows they exist as every once in a while I hear a name, a moment of remembrance, and just like the clock ticks that moment has passed and is gone and now in the past. Sealed in the vault of forgotten memories.
I too feel robbed. This disease has robbed me of my father. The man, I looked up to, confided in, consulted by in my times of despair and sorrow. It has stolen my rock, my mentor. Eradicated my history, the memories and stories of my youth to tell my kids, his grandkids, now a blank slate in his mind. It's robbed my children of their grandfather, the historian of the family, the jokester, the prankster, to know, and experience the same level of love bestowed upon me during my youth as I wanted for them as well. To see them in the same room and to see his confusion behind those crystal blue eyes as to say, who are you all and why are you here, is a pain like no other. A pain that must be hidden away so we do not upset him as in reality he will not understand our tears.
Tears that flow in silence behind closed doors at the dark hours of the night as during the day it must be nothing but positivity and joy. For he who knows none should not have to endure more pain. He has suffered enough. So I shall and will continue to be his brightest light During these rough times shining through my cracked heart.
Please help us find a cure so no one else has to endure this cruelty this disease bestows upon the recipient and its family.
Thank you for visiting my page and your support.
My Progress
Thank you for helping advance Alzheimer's support, care and research.
2285
I have raised
2500
My Goal
My Achievements
Self-Donor
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Top Team
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Grand Champion
Storyteller
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