Welcome to my virtual luminary page
Why? For You; the current and future caregivers. Others who've shared a similar journey are here to keep the light shining on the mission to #EndAlz.
16 years ago my mother received her diagnosis at 59. She passed away 8 years later and her memory brings a few more smiles, and a little less sadness each year that passes.
But the difficult moments during her final 27 months still bring guilt, hurt, and a twinge pain some days. Doing 'our best' in unfathomable situations, making decisions with limited or no other options, and our ongoing reality of disbelief. Doing 'our best' to support our mom as her disease progressed, we tried to be a present parent, a partner to our spouse, and remain a high performing employee.
Gratefully, together, my brother and I navigated 11 transitions in 13 months with her. Through her decline, we did 'our best' to ensure she was safe, and had a since of dignity.
This year I’m participating in The Longest Day to fundraise for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. In honor of the winter solstice on December 21, I created a luminary to shine a light on the darkness of Alzheimer’s.
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!
