I've participated in the Walk for several years, so most of you know that raising awareness for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia is near and dear to my heart. It is real. It is debilitating. It is a rollercoaster that includes behavior changes and personality changes. It is a continual learning process for the family and care partners.  As a daughter, it’s watching your mom struggle with everyday things like eating and walking and talking. You don’t often see people with the disease out in public, because it is uncomfortable and scary for them. It’s easy to feel removed from this disease, and bury your head in the sand, if you don’t have a close connection to someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, because they are so removed from everyday life. It is heart-wrenching to watch my mom slowly disappear. She has been struggling with this disease for almost 10 years.  Her speech has been affected, and her most frequent response is just "yeah". She is falling… a lot. So, again it’s not just forgetting.  I visit her as often as possible, because we don’t know what tomorrow holds for her.  She no longer recognizes her favorite places nor many of the faces of family and friends. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease. It robs the person of a lifetime of memories, and puts their body on a path of destruction. But, I can remember who my mom is, the things she loved, and most of all how much she loves me. And, it’s a privilege to love, serve, and accompany my mom through this disease.

The statistics are alarming. Of the top 10 causes of death, Alzheimer’s is the only one with no means of prevention, effective treatment, or cure. Two-thirds of individuals affected with Alzheimer's are women. In the past 20 years, deaths from Alzheimer's disease have increased 145%.  Something more needs to be done. I am joining in the Alzheimer’s Walk again this year to raise funds to put an end to this cruel disease. My hope is that we can find treatments, and even a cure, for the next generations, as well as provide funding for caregiver support now. Please click on the link below if you would like to donate and join me in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. 

Much thanks,Cheri