Alzheimer's, that wretched cruel disease, stole both my mother and father away from me. My dad passed away in 1995 at the age of 77 after seven long years of slow mental decline. I had always been "daddy's little girl" and watching that intelligent loving man slip away was heart wrenching. It was like DeJa'Vu when five years later my mother, who had always been my best friend and confidant, showed the same signs of Alzheimer's and struggled with her own battle until she passed away at age 87 in 2004. It was a lonely difficult journey for my family as we knew little about the disease and were never introduced to the Alzheimer's Association during that time, which I now know could have been a lifesaver.
In 2018 a dear friend, whose mom is living with Alzheimer's disease, asked me to do the South Shore Walk to End Alzheimer's in Plymouth. Right away I was hooked and knew I had found my passion and purpose along with a special way to honor my mother and father. Since that time I have been volunteering on the planning committee for the South Shore Walk and this year I will be co-chair of the Community Engagement Committee. I have also been presenting educational programs at local Councils on Aging, libraries, assisted living and nursing homes and a college psychology class. This has been way out of my comfort zone, but I'm hoping it will challenge my brain and keep it active as I get older.
The real reason I volunteer is that I don't want other families to suffer alone the way my family did and I want to do all I can to help bring awareness of all the incredible resources the Alzheimer's Association has to offer. In January I was invited to attend the Alzheimer's Leadership Summit in San Diego, California with 1300 staff members and volunteers from across the nation. The President of the Association has called this the "Era of Treatment" as it is an exciting time for research and progress in new drugs to slow down the progression of the disease and to ultimately find a cure. It was an amazing experience that inspired and motivated me to do as much as possible to advance the mission of the Alzheimer's Association. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and other dementias.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Please consider joining my team, Making Memories, or donating to My Walk. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. I am so very grateful.
Love, Carol XOXO
My Progress
Thank you for helping advance Alzheimer's support, care and research.
250
I have raised
1500
My Goal
My Achievements
Self-Donor
Fundraiser
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Storyteller
Mobile Master