Why am I passionate about stopping Alzheimer’s? Well, let me tell you a story…

In August of 2019, I met the sweetest lady, we’ll call herJane, who resided in a local nursing facility. Jane was the sweetest wife,mother, and friend that anyone could ever have. She was docile and patient andalways smiling. One day, Jane started forgetting simple things, which led to forgettingrecent events, which lead to forgetting how to live her life. She couldn’t walkanymore. In fact, she couldn’t talk to her loved ones or her medical doctors. I’mnot even sure if Jane understood what was being said when she was spoken to. Yousee, Jane developed Alzheimer’s. Sweet and docile Jane became aggressive. Shewas more than her 95 year old husband was capable of caring for, and she had tobe moved to a nursing home. Jane, not understanding what was going on aroundher, fought with those who wanted to help her most. She fought the nurses, theaides, and even her husband. She fought staff as they tried to bathe her, provideher medicine, take her vital signs, and change her clothes. She fought with herhusband about eating. She tried to get out of bed on her own, and would fall. Iwatched week after week as Jane deteriorated. It was heart-breaking to watchthe horrendous affects that Alzheimer’s had on her life. This was Jane’s newnormal, and there was nothing I could do to bring her back to herself. I feltuseless and worthless. Here I am, my sole purpose to care for others, and I can’tdo a thing to help her. It was an internal struggle that I battled. After manysleepless nights, I realized, I’m focusing on all the things I can’t do. I needto focus on the things I can do. So, I visited with her. I sat and held herhand. I sat and told her stories. I sat and talked about the pictures in herroom. Every once in a while, I got a glimpse of the old Jane, when she wouldgive me the sweetest smile. I befriended her husband, who visited day in andday out. I listened as he told stories about his beloved wife. Together sincethey were teenagers. I learned that I was there just as much for him as I washer. You see, caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s is physically, mentally,and emotionally draining. You feel as though you’ve lost someone important,despite them being right in front of you. It’s learning to love an entirely newperson, who may not understand how to be loved. It’s being a punching bagbecause they don’t understand that you’re trying to help them. It’s feelinglike a failure because no matter how much you try, they don’t remember you. It’sfeeling completely worthless, knowing you have to get up tomorrow and do it allover again. It’s praying for a miracle and hoping that this disease willreverse itself. It’s knowing that no matter how much you talk to the doctor,there is not a cure. No medicine to fix this illness. It’s crying yourself tosleep at night because you feel there’s no hope.

People like Jane are why I am passionate about finding acure for Alzheimer’s. I’ve seen first hand what Alzheimer’s looks like, notjust from the patient, but from the family too. It’s a gut-wrenching, heart-breakingsight to witness. It’s something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. It’s somethingthat needs to be stopped.

I’m part of the West Alabama Walk to End Alzheimer’splanning committee, and would love to talk to you about Alzheimer’s and how youcan make a difference. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We just haven’treached it yet.