Why I Ride: When he was a young man (circa 1970's) my father made a promise to his Aunt Eloise to care for her when the time came because she had no children. In 2006, my father learned his Aunt was living in an apartment all alone and in deplorable conditions. So, my mother and father flew across the country to pack up my Great Aunt Eloise to move her to live with them in Texas.
Aunt Eloise had dementia. She was angry and abrasive most of the time and being in an unfamiliar place exacerbated this. Notwithstanding, I witnessed my mother assume the role as primary caregiver while she worked from home and my father worked outside of the home.
We all helped out but my mother took on the most sacrifice until my Great Aunt Eloise passed away in 2007.
In early 2008, my mother and best friend was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. We could have never imagined she would have been in heaven a few short months later with my Great Aunt Eloise.
Alzheimer's/Dementia affects the lives of so many people and I am determined to go the distance for all those affected. I am inspired by the strength of the more than 6 million Americans living with this disease, and the strength of my mother and father, who, like over 11 million family members and friends, provide(d) care to those living in the prison called Alzheimer's.
Please help support science and research with your charitable contribution of $100 (or what you are able to give).
I am participating in the Ride to End ALZ, a fully-supported, one day fundraising event where every dollar raised supports the Alzheimer's Association's efforts to discover methods of treatment and prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
With each mile I ride, I am raising funds to advance research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer's. We are close! Thank you for cheering me on.
Cheer Me On!