My WALK story:

My grandfather, Arlie Peterson, had Alzheimer's. He was not formally diagnosed, but he always told "stories" that were mixed up and half truths. Someone found him stopped at a stop sign and he told them he couldn't figure out how to get back home. These were small clues, until one day he suffered a fall that caused his disease to progress rapidly, and eventually pass away.

 My husband's grandmother, Corkii Lindo, also suffered from this terrible disease. She resided at a nursing home, unable to recognize her daughter. We sent pictures of her that hopefully put a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye.

My step-mom Loretta's father, Harold Ellis,  passed away as a result of a stroke he suffered. He had Alzheimer's for severaI years and I was just amazed by him.  I did not grow up with him, but in the last few years he would remember me and ask for me to come visit . The sparkle in their eye and the moments they are themselves truly make this disease worth fighting for!

I also walk for all of the  patient's I have served over the past 15 years who suffered from this disease. I worked with the devastation it leaves on a daily basis, and it makes my heart ache for not only them, but their families. Please help us #ENDALZ!