Many people believe Alzheimer's is just the loss of memories, but it is so much more.
Alzheimer's is:

• the loss of personal autonomy,

• personality changes,

• hallucinations,

• forgetfulness,

• forgetting loved ones,

• forgetting one's self,

• a change of lifestyles for those battling Alzheimer's and those caring for someone with alz.,

• denial, anger, frustration, sadness, and grief,

• heartbreak and heartache,

• the unknown, and 

• maybe most of all, the loss of a loved one who is still here with us.

I have watched some of the strongest people I know battle this unforgiving, memory-stealing disease.

This is Alzheimer's:

Watching my strong, independent, intelligent Grandmother turn into a confused, angry, hollow-shell of the person she used to be. Watching my Aunt and Mother struggle to care for her; do the right things for her; and grieve for the mother they once knew but who is slowly fading away. Watching her slowly forget things she once knew so well. It is heartbreaking and fills me with so much anger that one disease could take something so precious.

I lost one of the greatest men I have ever known in 2018 and he battled this disease until the end.

This is Alzheimer's:

Watching my Grandpa, an Italian immigrant who built a business, a life, and a very large family, forget things he knew his whole life. Watching my Grandmother struggle to understand and care for him. Watching my Father and his siblings lose the strongest man they ever knew. Heartache doesn't begin to describe the feelings.

This is Alzheimer's and this is why I walk.

Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease. The walk may look different this year, but the cause remains the same.

Please join me in walking to End Alzheimer's. If you are unable to walk with me, please consider making a donation to advance the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer's!

In Loving Memory of Felix Canini 2/16/1935 - 8/19/2018