This Saturday, October 26th, marks the fifth year we have had a team in the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk. The first year, our team consisted of Billy, Shelley, two of her friends, and me. Each year the team grew, and last year we had our biggest group - somewhere between 40 and 45. This year we have a bit smaller group, but no matter how many, knowing that we are doing something to deal with the anguish of AD makes us feel better. When your loved one has this disease, you find there is really not a lot you can do for them other than try to help them maintain skills and keep them comfortable as the disease progresses. Advocacy helps you feel like you are doing something to help by raising some money and honoring those who have the disease or have died from it.
This year our list of honorees is shorter than our list of memorials. My prayer is that neither list grows in the next year, but that is unlikely. On the back of our shirts this year:
Honorees In Memory of
Billy Knowles Aleta Asher
Roark Barnes Jacque Carter Pedigo
Curt Morris Roberta Hooper
Bill Leavell Sarah Sissel
Bobby Lowrey Ruby Futrell
Wanda Lehrmann Mike Henley
Ama Bryant David Schwerdtfeger
Chief Loveland
John Sikes
If you are inclined to give to this cause, the link to the website is at the top of my blog on the right hand side. The rotating disk reads Donate to Me. If you click that link, it will take you the Alzheimer's Association website and you will find a place to search for my name. Thank you in advance for any and all donations. We must help to END ALZ!
The most poignant sign of early onset Alzheimer's is the decline in cognitive function. Not only does the patient notice these in themselves, but family, friends, and medical practitioners, will also notice these changes start to occur.
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