Alzheimer's Disease has had a presence in my life for as long as I can remember. My first memory is that of my Great Grandmother (Grammy D) and her forgetfulness. Her children would try to minimize her time alone and follow a coverage schedule to ensure her safety. I would spend the night with my own grandmother, when it was her turn to spend the night. It never occurred to me at such a young age that the Gene for this horrible disease would impact our family several times over.
Ultimately, four of the five Dangelo children were stricken with Alzheimer’s/Dementia at various ages. My grandmother was the oldest and the disease presented itself in her eighties. She was in fact the last of the children to be diagnosed. I always took some comfort in that fact. Maybe, there was something special about her and this evil disease wouldn’t impact my immediate family or at the very least, the next generation be diagnosed much later in life.
Boy, was I wrong! Just about 5 years after saying goodbye to my wonderful Grandmother, we all began to notice small changes in my mom. We tried to get her to acknowledge some of these changes and speak to her healthcare provider, but to no avail. Mom was so afraid of the diagnoses that she would we do anything to limit others noticing the changes. She would practice common Alzheimer tests, developed go neutral phrases (when she couldn't remember) but also began to limit her interactions with others. In 2018, we finally were able to have some testing and concluded there were some brain issues in her frontal lobe. In just 4 years, Mom's condition progressed and we needed long term care assistance to help take care of her. It was extremely difficult for any of us to admit that you can't fully care for someone that cared so well for all of us.
The disease progressed even more and she lost her battle this past January (just before her 74th birthday). She never had the opportunity to travel, make more special memories with Dad (they loved to Ballroom dance), be there for all the important rights of passage for her grandchildren, or simply enjoy retirement (she definitely earned it) .
We walk and fundraise for every person like Mom, their caregivers, to drive awareness/importance of talking to their HCP's, and the hope a cure can be found for those in its future path. We welcome all to donate/walk/fundraiser with us. Fighting ALZ Together we can make a difference.
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