I WALK TO HONOR THE IMPORTANT WOMEN IN MY LIFE I'VE LOVED AND LOST TO THIS AWFUL DISEASE. IN MEMORY OF MY GRAMMA RUECKERT, GRAMMA HEPLER, & MY MOM (GRETCHEN). So many memories stolen. Too many lives lost and hearts broken.
My name is Jennifer Hepler and my life has unfortunately been affected by dementia. I am not only an advocate to raise money and awareness about Alzheimer's because it is the right thing to do and since I am concerned about how many more people will be impacted by this disease if a cure is not found, but it is personal to me. I have seen up close how this disease repeatedly robs and eventually kills the people I love the most. Like some sort of terminal illness criminal. Maybe I am just putting a face to the anger I've felt?!
I spent a lot of time during my childhood with my Gramma Rueckert. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. We shared a love of reading, roses, playing piano, dogs - especially golden retrievers, and pretty things. Then Alzheimer's began to strip away her abilities -- one by one. I learned why they call it "the long goodbye," as she lived about a decade with the horrible disease. When I lost her in 2001, I felt like a piece of my heart died that day too. I swore I never wanted to watch anybody suffer life that again.
Fast forward fifteen years, and I lost my other grandmother to dementia in 2016. My spunky, active Gramma Hepler, who once loved shopping, Brewers games, playing cards and going to Ho-Chunk, gardening, going to Culver's (what she called "the blue roof"), and baking had become quieter, less engaged with the world around her, confined to a wheelchair, and unable to recognize her visitors and family.
Grandmothers are so important. I miss their presence in my life and long to know them as an adult now. But they aren't here because dementia robbed us of time together and experiences we never got to have. I was fortunate to be influenced by such strong women who helped shape my interests and views of the world around me from a young age. I needed more time with them to learn from them. We need to make sure that future generations get to have as many years as possible with their grandmothers!
"Most of all the other beautiful things in life comes in twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds, Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world." -Kate Douglas Wiggin
Nothing prepared me for losing my mom in 2023. I held her hand and kissed her forehead goodbye as she took her final breaths and entered into God's welcoming arms.
She was the strongest, bravest, calmest fighter I've ever known, but it was no match for this unrelenting beast. Alzheimer's is a slow, heartbreaking, painful death sentence. For everyone.
I thought we would have more time with her. I wanted more time. There would never be enough time. My heart broke (again) when she left; I honestly am not sure how much is even left of it anymore. I don't really know how to live without Mom. But I do know that it hurts even more to watch her suffering.
I walk in memory of my mom. I walk in honor of my mom. I walk because over the years she held so many important roles in my life. She was my rock, my best friend, my greatest cheerleader, my heart, my #1 fan, my kindred spirit, my favorite teacher. my soulmate, my shoulder to cry on, my protector, my provider, my guiding light, my faithful listener, my support system, my inspiration, my creative muse, my safety net, my favorite person, my brainstorming buddy, my therapist, she was "home" to me, my nurse, my chauffeur, my confidante, my ride or die, my angel, the greatest love I've ever known, and the best hugger.
I don't want other individuals to know the pain and sadness that our family has experienced. I refuse to lose one more loved one from this disease. I wish I could say that I haven't asked myself if this disease will decide to leapfrog and skip a generation or if it is coming for me too. But I've wondered. And I've worried. I AM worried. How can I not be? This disease has taken away some of the most important people in my life. It is hard not to hold a grudge against a disease that preys on the ones you love and takes away so much.
I empower you to please get involved and make a difference in a fight that oftentimes seems overwhelming and hopeless. We can't give up fighting. We can't stop hoping for a cure. There are so many opportunities to participate in raising awareness of the disease. Consider taking part in a event, attend an informational gathering about breakthroughs for the disease, volunteer to take part in a clinical trial, donate money to be used for research or to support individuals affected by the disease, volunteer to drive people to appointments, contact a nursing home or assisted living facility and see if you can assist with programming or visit residents. The possibilities are endless on how you can get involved in your community.
This year, I will be participating again with my family in the October 6, 2024 Walk To End Alzheimer's at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin. Our team name is WALK 4 GRETCHEN in honor of my amazing mom. If you live nearby, we invite you to join our team and walk with us.
There are 600+ walks across the United States each year, and it's the largest fundraising event to fight Alzheimer's. If you are unable to take part in the walk this year, you can still make a difference in the lives of so many and the future of this disease. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the organization; your money will be used to raise funds and awareness for the disease.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and contribution to this cause that means so much to my family and was very important to my mom. Together, we can fight to discover a cure for Alzheimer's. The first survivor is out there--waiting.
GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. SAVE A PLACE FOR ME.
Great-Uncle, Hugh Allison (1916-1990) - Parkinson's
Gramma, Dorothy Ann (Allison) Rueckert (1912-2001) - Alzheimer's
Great-Aunt, Mildred (Livengood) Allison Smith (1917-2012) - Alzheimer's
Gramma, Eleanor (Cummings) Hepler (1920-2016) - dementia
Great-Uncle, Norman Cummings (1931-2020) - dementia
My Husky mix, Aurora "Rory" Hepler (~2012?- 2022) - canine dementia
Mom, Gretchen (Rueckert) Hepler (1946-2023) - Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, mixed dementia
My Progress
Thank you for helping advance Alzheimer's support, care and research.
341.01
I have raised
500
My Goal
My Achievements
Self-Donor
Fundraiser
Top Team
Top Fundraiser
T-shirt
Storyteller
Facebook Fundraiser
Offline Fundraiser