Julie’s and the family’s journey began about 10 years ago. At first it was just asking the same questions over and over and then it progressed to wandering and then having longer and longer moments of defiance. There was never any violent behavior just stubborn defiance.
Our first step was to hire a company to come in 3hrs a day for 3 days a week. When I needed serious surgery for my back and the recovery time was going to be 2-3 years I decided to place Julie in a Memory Care Center and that was done two and a half years ago. In all instances her safety and health care were of first priority and while it was the hardest decision of my life. I know in the end that I did the right move for the right reasons.
Julie no longer has language skills with words coming out randomly and without meaning. But she is still able to laugh and smile and occasionally she will put 2-3 words together that make sense. I call those magic moments and I am always on the look out for these magic times. There are days when it takes her awhile to know who I am and there are days where she immediately knows me.
Everyday is a new adventure and you never know what your will find when they unlock the door to let you in. I have been coaching Baird Middle School Cross Country for the last 15 years, at the end of practice we have a cheer and part of that cheer is to: Do Something Nice for Someone Without Expecting Anything in return. Four years ago I asked them to Donate to the Walk for a Cure…in four years the kids have raised over $4000. Every Caregiver and Family member are people who have had something taken from them with Alzheimer’s.
Your donation will not only give hope for a cure but also comfort and support to those who have been affected by this disease…Thank you
