Yes, we are doing this with a full heart! Yes, we have lofty goals for mom's legacy! Yes, we will share our caregiving journey and of course what we have learned along the way so we can break the stigma and start a dialogue.
So with all of that said we would like to welcome you to our team page:
"Ms. Sharron with 2 R's" for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®! 

THE WHY - 3 1/2 years ago we became the full-time caregivers to my mother, Sharron. Mom has moderate stage Alzheimer’s. We feel blessed to be able to wrap around her and give her the care she needs. Personally, I am even more blessed that my husband Scott insisted that she come and live with us.  We have an incredible support system here in Las Vegas and we’ve been wrapped around and blessed with individuals who love on her and who care for us. And the opposite has been there too. There's those that are jealous, uneducated professionals, judgmental individuals etc...

We have learned so much about the Medicare, Alzheimer's, Dementia and brain health. There really is a glitch in our system. I have become an advocate.
Better yet: I AM AN ADVOCATE.

I’ve learned more than I ever thought I needed to know about neurology, speech pathology, physical therapy, CT, MRI’s, UTI’s, EEG's, medications, the different stages, in-home health and so much more. I have the utmost respect for nurses, doctors and caregivers. This disease is heartbreaking and riddled with grief, daily. I question myself at any given moment. Am I doing all I can to seek out the proper care, and am I doing my best to care for her with dignity and respect? As said to me in the beginning "Kelly, it is the quality of life at this point and not the quantity."

The key to this caregiving situation is to meet my mother where she is at and not where I think she should be. We no longer have that option. This woman has had a very full life and now there is no teaching her, the memories are leaving of her very full life and the day to day activities that we might take for granted are no longer a set skill. My mom is amazing and I love her. It is unfathomable to me that this is her destiny, this disease. There are so many "if only's and I wish I could've" along with "why her."

There’s been a theme since the beginning, thinking I’m not doing enough. Or what I am doing is not effective. Or in utter frustration and exhaustion not formulating my sentences and regretting something I said or didn't say. I was having lunch a while ago and was explaining to a person who is very well-versed in the Alzheimers and they said to me "well then isn’t it a good thing Kelly that your mom doesn't remember short term if you regret your tone and your frustration?" My response was, but I always will remember, and I think that’s the hardest part for our hearts, the screw-ups. If you’re a caregiver or you have been a caregiver, then you know when you’re tired or busy you may say something or react in a way instead of acting. As caregivers we must forgive ourselves in order to move forward.
Then there are the joyous moments - when we walk hand in hand singing "you are my sunshine" or when mom pays me a compliment and I tell her that I am her mirror, reflecting back on her, or the hysterical moments out of the blue. Picture this: mom and Scott are sitting at a table with another unfamiliar lady. The lady says to mom pointing at Scott "who's that", to which mom replies "my lover" - the unfamiliar lady sits stunned, Scott's jaw drops and mom is chuckling then mom turns to Scott and proceeds to say "I bet you didn't think I'd say that."
If you have made it to this point - thank you. 

We really believe that a cure can happen in our lifetime. Did you know? The Walk is the largest event to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association®. It’s held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, and our team is excited to participate this year. Please join us. 

The statistics are staggering: Currently, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and over 11 million family and friends provide their unpaid care. We need your help to end this devastating disease. 

You can make an impact with a personal donation, a company donation, maybe your company matches or join our team. Your kindness and generosity truly make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. 
We appreciate you and we are grateful for your support.