I am fighting to end Alzheimer's and all other dementias in honor of my grandpa.

My grandpa is currently living in a memory care facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with dementia. His power of attorney does not have an inch of respect or regard for his well-being and now, he doesn't have the ability to speak up to request a change in his care. I alternate between a feeling of peace because I can't watch the disease deteriorate him from the inside-out and a feeling of sadness because I miss looking into his kind eyes. I have not seen him in almost four years. Four birthdays, four Christmas days, four grueling years (maybe more) my mother will endure wondering if her dad knows what day it is, if someone is making him smile, and if he misses us or doesn't remember who we are at all. He did not deserve to have his family taken away from him after becoming a resident of his community. He did not deserve to have lost his ability to speak up for how he wanted to be cared for. He did not deserve to miss his only granddaughter's wedding and so many other important moments in his granddaughter's and grandson's lives. He does not deserve to lose 75 years of memories made with his beautiful bride. I know that his incapability to speak up for himself has only allowed the disease to advance at a faster rate. His situation is unlike any I have ever heard and most of the time I have a hard time wrapping my head around how it could possibly be happening to the sweetest man I know.

I fundraise for him and for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. In honor of the winter solstice, December 21st, the shortest/darkest day of the year, I am shining a light on the darkness of Alzheimer’s and all other dementias.

Today, an estimated 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, including more than 6 million Americans. In the United States alone, more than 11 million friends and family members are providing their care. We must take action now, or these numbers will continue to rise. Please support me in the fight to end Alzheimer’s with a donation today. Thank you!