Like so many other families ours has been effected by this terrible disease. My mother-in-law was a bright intelligent joy to our family and was taken much to soon. She was a vegetarian, valedictorian at Berkeley, and exercised every day of her life; the last one you might suspect to be afflicted. The disease robbed her of her own identity, memories, and everyone in the world around her. Everyday became a struggle for her and our family. We miss her so much.
After my mother passed, my dad moved in with my brother and sister-in-law. After a few years, the memory loss and confusion started, and he was diagnosed with severe dementia. They took great care of him until it became too difficult and dangerous. We had to move him into a 24-hour memory care unit. My dad was a high school athlete, a World War II veteran, and a great father. It is difficult to see how this once loving, vibrant, intelligent man, now at 97, has lost his own identity, memory, and basic life skills. On a good day he remembers that we are related, but isn't always sure how.
I'm leading the way to Alzheimer's first survivor by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®. Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.
Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease. Please make a donation to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.
Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer's!
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