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Look Out for Je'Nell!

If you're visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the next month, be on the lookout for Je'Nell Blocher! Je'Nell will be walking the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast round trip to bring awareness for Alzheimer's disease and the caregivers' of those individuals. She will begin at south of Waveland, on Beach Boulevard, and walk round trip to Ocean Springs - that's over 80 miles! And her goal is to walk the entire 80+ miles during her birthday month of March when she'll turn 82.

If you would like information on how you can support Je'Nell or if your company would like to sponsor Je'Nell's walk, please mail: Je'Nell's Walk, 854 Ocean Springs, MS 39566. Donations accepted.

One coast resident will stop at nothing to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s

82 year old puts her foot where her mouth is…
Her name is Je’Nell Blocher; she turns 82 this month. She talks the talk and walks the walk. In fact by the last day of Mar., she will have walked the entire Miss. coast twice to draw attention to the effort to end Alzheimer’s.

She begins in south Waveland. A few miles at a time and a few days at a time, she works her way along the coast to the end of the beach at the harbor in Ocean Springs. Altogether the mileage totals more than 85 miles, but that satisfies her goal of one mile for every year of life. Each walk is from her parked car to a predetermined spot and back again to the car. Blocher walks alone some days and others is joined by friends or family for the trek.

“Weekends my grandchildren can join me for a walk across the bridge. It’s a longer walk of almost 5 miles, but I keep a record of what section I’ve walked so I cover the whole coast,” said Blocher.

“I love to have others join me, and I enjoy a chat along my route with those I meet,” said Blocher. “As I walk I often reminisce about great conversations shared on a bench as I pass by again or a place where I found the most marvelous sea shell.”

Make her day by offering a friendly horn and look up from the road or mobile device to the splendor of the coast. “I see people looking at their phones and not enjoying the beauty of what we have here,” said Blocher.

At times, passersby have stopped and inquired about making a donation. “In the past people have wanted to make donations as they have encountered me on my walk. This year I will have envelopes where they can mail a donation in the amount of their choice.”

The Jackson-headquartered Miss. Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has also set up a tribute page for online donations specific to Je’Nell’s Walk. [link below] Individual donations and corporate sponsors are welcomed. “I would like to generate more awareness and more funds this year,” said Blocher.
 
At age 82, many are surrounded by friends and family with loads of cake and a large print banner for the special day. Blocher has her cake with a shamrock and purple Alzheimer’s decorations, too, but will also plant her feet to the pavement to prompt others.

“I don’t do this walk for just one reason; it’s two-fold. First to raise awareness of the disease and the needs of patients and the family/caregivers. Also to inspire and motivate others especially those of mature age to get up and get active. ”

Blocher is an advocate for an active life as a mature adult. She’s undergone a shoulder transplant and two knee replacements. This walk is not the first for Blocher. She walked the coast the year of her 80th birthday, too. In 2013, the walk took second place to a battle with tongue cancer, but she is back in 2014 with gusto. “I don’t know if I will be able to walk next year. It’s more difficult this year after battling cancer, but while I can walk, I will,” said Blocher.

Blocher’s husband, Charles, passed away in 2009 fighting Alzheimer’s disease. She served him for 7 years as his primary caregiver. “He was a brilliant man… to see that mind go…,” she said as she shared the difficulty in talking about him and the hurt that some memories still bring to her and her children.

“Charles would be proud of me. He was a humble man and adored by everyone. I wear a badge with his picture on each of my walks as well as a sticker that states ‘Stop Alzheimer’s Now’ to serve as a conversation starter,” added Blocher.

Her husband may have expressed a complaint or two about the amount of time she spent volunteering earlier in life, but he would be wholehearted pleased with her efforts now. “He would be a little embarrassed that my walk is related to his struggle, but he would still be proud,” she added.

Blocher will walk the month of Mar. but celebrate her 82nd birthday Mar. 17.

Teams for the 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s® are currently forming and registration is open for events across the state in latter summer and autumn. Miss. walks are centrally coordinated by the Miss. Chapter located in Jackson and serve all 82 counties.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit http://www.alz.org/ms . 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900.