Why I Ride: My Dad has Alzheimer's and has been in memory care for almost 1.5 years. It's still hard to see him suffer with his memory and see the frustration in his eyes that he just can't remember, understand things or function like he feels like he should. As difficult as it is to understand I still love that he can recognize me and we can talk about the very basic things in life. He also shares many things, people or events that maybe aren't reality to any of us but sadly are more than real to him every day while suffering from this disease. He has been a wonderful father of 8 kids and grandpa that would still try to do anything for those he loves. We are so fortunate that he still smiles when he has visitors or anyone on the staff speaks with him. I look forward to every Sunday when I visit him with my mom and we thank the staff for being so sweet, caring and gentle with him. My mom is also just an amazing person that spends every afternoon with him in his room. We all can still feel the love and care that they have together and we love them both very much.
My wife's step father was also terribly impacted by this disease passing away a few years ago, and again it was so tough to see and feel the effects for he and his family.
This ride allows me to do something small to fight this terrible disease.
I am inspired by the strength of the more than 6 million Americans living with this disease, and the over 11 million family members and friends who provide them with care. I am also inspired by science. Visiting the memory care has opened my eyes to the many beautiful people and families that are impacted every day.
I am participating in the Ride to End ALZ® on Sunday, October 13. This is a fully-supported, premier cycling event that supports the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to discover methods of treatment and prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. I plan to ride the 65 mile course for the second year in a row.
With each mile I ride, I am raising funds to advance research on Alzheimer’s. I appreciate anything you can do to support his ride and I hope that the research will eventually find a way to cure or avoid this terrible disease for all of us in the future..
Cheer Me On!