Things By Mike

Years ago my grandfather had a good friend that he’d visit each day. Occasionally I’d accompany him and listen to them as they’d sit and talk for hours. That friend was married to a woman who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It was quite frankly one of the saddest things I’ve witnessed in my life. She was such a nice woman but it was very difficult to observe how her husband would say something to her and have to constantly repeat it because she simply could not remember. She had very rare moments of clarity which were for the most part muddled within the confusion she lived with each and every day. Her husband would often get frustrated with her and it seemed as though he felt just as lost not knowing how to handle her condition. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be married to someone who is to an extent taken away from you by such a terrible disease. Of course physically she was still there, but mentally I’m quite sure she was a very much a shell of her former self.

This year the Alzheimer’s Association is organizing a Memory Walk which is an event where folks get together and do a 2 to 3 mile walk as a team to raise funds to help find a cure and put an end to Alzheimer’s and the pain it causes families affected by it. If you know someone suffering from this disease and would like to help it’s not too late! You can sign up today as a Team Captain. Team Captains don’t necessarily have to walk with the team but are responsible for rallying and motivating their team members. The memory walks are occurring nationwide throughout the U.S. so the chances are good that you just might be able to find one taking place in your area.