My mother, Georgia, and our family experienced a 12 year journey with Alzheimer’s. We never thought about this happening in our family. It started out with my Mom asking me what one of her credit cards was for, having trouble with her remote control, and leaving the stovetop burner on. It was subtle changes that morphed into bigger issues. She forgot her medication, how to cook and could no longer drive. She needed help showering and getting dressed. Then she started wondering off, in the afternoons she would pack up her bedroom. Her doctors called it Sun Downers.

The last four years of my mother’s life was the hardest. I had to put her a memory care facility. She went from walking and talking to a wheelchair and nonverbal. My mom use to say my name when I came in the room, to just her eyes lighting up when she saw me, and then to no recognition at all. She had trouble swallowing and needed to be fed. In the end she was just the shell of her former self. I grieved while she was alive and after she passed. It is hard to watch someone you love go through this cruel disease.

If you are interested in helping me please let me know. I can help you joint our team. 

If you cannot fundraise but want to show your support, you can join me on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 11:00 am for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Oregon State in the Memorial Union Quad. There is no registration fee but we ask that you register at www.alz.org/Walk to walk.