My grandmother was a strange and complex woman. She had a pretty hard life, had been widowed twice and had a career as a nurse. I always found that an odd choice because she was a rather hard and gruff woman. She'd get mad easily and hold grudges forever. She was stubborn and fiercely independent, yet she also let my uncle and his family walk all over her. Even though she was in my life for 17 years, I really didn't know her very well. She was not very forthcoming with feelings or sentiments and being a shy child, I didn't push to get any closer. It's sad, really, because she was the only grandparent I really had. I still loved her, though.
When I was either a Junior or Senior in high school, my grandmother got really ill and had to be hospitalized. She was in for quite a long time — complications from a staph infection she had picked up from her nursing, I believe the was the diagnosis. Looking back now, though, even though she was never officially diagnosed as such, I am wondering if she was also suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. She was becoming increasingly forgetful and toward the end of her life, she didn't recognize any of our family members. I remember one incident where she was extremely frightened because she thought we all were strangers. The whole experience really unnerved me and I quit visiting her shortly after that — a decision I still feel a little guilty about to this day. My parents were forced to move her to a nursing home and she died a short time afterwards. I remember being relieved to hear of her passing. We were lucky in that we didn't have to watch her suffer in that state for years, no did she have to suffer, as well.
The sad fact is that the exact cause of Alzheimer's Disease is not known (they do know that it is genetic) and there is yet still no cure. There are estimates that more than 5 million Americans now have the disease. Not only do those afflicted lose their memories, their lifestyle and their dignity, but their friends and families are left to shoulder the burden of caring for an individual that does not seem to know or recognize them. Through efforts such as the annual Alzheimer's Association
Memory Walk, millions of dollars are being contributed to raise awareness, fund research and provide care and support to the victims and families affected by this horrible, debilitating disease.
The event is held every fall in communities all across the United States. Chances are good that someone you know has or will have Alzheimer's Disease. That someone could be you. If you'd like to help raise funds for the cause, click the image above to find a local event in your area. The walks average 2–3 miles.
The walk coordinators are looking for volunteer Team Captains to sign up immediately. If you wish to participate as a
Team Captain, make sure you sign up right away so as to have plenty of time to organize your team and its fund raising efforts in time for the walk in your area. The process of becoming a leader is simple and there is plenty of support and documentation available on the site to assist you in putting together a successful team. They suggest you gather 10 of your co-workers or family members, design a team t-shirt, hat or banner to bolster team spirit and keep track and motivate your team members to raise funds.
While I can't participate in the walk that is taking place in Denver's City Park on September 15th myself this year, I will be sponsoring several of my online friends that have signed up to walk. Colleen over at SimpleKindOfLife.com has even signed up to be a
Team Captain in the Orlando, FL area. I'll put this on my list of activities to participate in next year, though. It's definitely a worthy cause and a disease that we should make every effort to eradicate. I hope someday we can free Alzheimer's Disease sufferers from the prisons of their own minds and relieve the stress and burden placed upon their loved ones.
Name: LaDonna
AIM craftyladonna
