Editor’s Note: This is the final piece of a three-part series. To read the previous postings click on Lori’s 12th Man Team: The Care Consultant & Lori’s 12th Man Team: The Sister.
By Cassie Moore
My mother got me addicted to Chai tea when I was 5 years old. Every morning before school, she drove me to the Starbucks in our wooded area. All of our conversations were goofing around. She called me ‘boss’ and played into me being self-assured. I was into sports. She was a tomboy too. I wore basketball shorts until 6th grade–always.
Now, my wardrobe has diversified, and I’m a senior in high school. I have struggled for six years to make sense of something that I have yet to come to terms with.
My mother is being pulled out of my life by early onset Alzheimer’s, and every day I search for ways to cope with this disease.
I am forced to remind myself of the woman I know she would have raised me to be. In the face of adversity I refuse to give up, and in the face of tragedy I cannot relent. But rather, I look onwards to what I can to contribute to the world despite a seemingly impassable roadblock—not having my mother to guide me.
The woman she raised me to be is one who will not cripple under pressure and instead will use emotion to do something for the greater good.
So, I push forward. I Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Lori’s 12th Man Team, because that is exactly what my mom would want me to do. While walking to end Alzheimer’s focuses on raising money to help search for a cure, it does much more for the people affected by the disease.
I walk to show the diversity of people affected by the disease. Alzheimer’s changes the lives of children, aunts, uncles, parents, husbands, wives cousins, family friends–everyone touched by it.
I walk so people in the future do not have to lose all that my mom lost. She had happy and eventful years in her future; all of which faded away following her diagnosis. Meaningful lives are stripped away by anyone in contact with Alzheimer’s.
In my quest to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s, I aim to stress the effect it has on the person diagnosed with the disease. I Walk to End Alzheimer’s for my mom Lori because if able, she would be walking along side me.
I remember the woman she was rather than a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She was powerful in the workplace, loving as a mother and admirable to all as a human being. It’s not the disease that defines her–it’s who she was before.
I walk to shed light on the fact that this disease is affecting more and more young people. It takes the identity of those diagnosed regardless of age. I walk, because I refuse to believe that has to be the future of our society.
Although it’s a widely known fact that Alzheimer’s is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, those who are not yet affected don’t understand the toll it takes on all involved. Knowing the pain that I have felt and continue to feel, I do not accept that other people must feel like this in the future.
I try as hard as I can to raise money and awareness about this disease because its prevalence will only increase through the years.
No individual should live in fear of forgetting who they are, and no child should have to watch as their parent forgets them.
I Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of my mom, Lori, and while she will forget me, I will never forget the daughter she raised me to be.
Cassie, I was deeply moved when I saw the news story last night on TV. I worked with Lori for many years, and she was my manager when we worked together in LCA. Seeing her and all of you together was very touching. She’s a wonderful person and I have so many fond memories of Lori. All the best and good job to you and your sisters!
I saw your story on news and I would like to say that I was deeply touched and saddened at the same time your Mother is so beautiful and it has got to be the worse feeling ever to have her not remember you all and to miss so many life changing events.
I wish there were a cure for this…I have a hard time remembering things and I am 36 I honestly never knew it could hit you at this young age,I have always thought I would suffer from this when I get older because a lot of my family has.
My fear would be to get this disease and not remember all the beautiful memories I have with my husband and children.
I will pray for all of you and for your mother.
Thank you for sharing your story and bringing awareness to many people.
Cassie, you are an amazing strong young woman with such a bright future. Your mom was always your biggest fan, so proud of her strong-willed baby girl. I worked with your mom for about 12 of my MSFT years, she was my manager, my mentor and most of all my friend. So many great memories that I keep close to my heart. When you were a little girl you had a sparkle in your eye, so much like your mom! I recall coming to your house for a Christmas Party and your mom was walking around lighting candles and you were walking behind her blowing them all out. I still laugh thinking about it today!!! I told her then, you better watch out for this one momma, she is going to change the world. Look at you now! Your strength, courage and passion are amazing for a girl your age. I just wanted to let you and all your sisters know we keep in our hearts and prayers and we thank you for sharing your mom with us. She was proud of all her girls and she bragged about you all (rightfully so!) every day. She has a big fan club here at MSFT and we are all cheering you girls on. Big hugs!
Best wishes to the Moore family. I worked in MSFT Support when Lori was in charge. I’m sorry to hear you are loosing such a bright & dynamic person, doubly so as she is so young to have such a battle. Stay strong, I have a feeling your mother shared her inner strength with you earlier and I hope it serves you well.
Alzheimer’s is my all time most un-favorite disease. My family watched my grandmother fade away a few years back, and it is just heartbreaking.
Hearing that Lori and her family are suffering by this disease is devastating news. Lori was my manager at my first job at Microsoft and later asked me to join PSS. She was/is awesome. Not just as a manager, or mentor, but as a person. My early success at Microsoft, I owe to her I have no doubt. I learned so much because of her leadership and style.
Recently I attended a family wedding where my father who was an executive at Hewlett Packard, could not remember how to tie a tie, even after practicing for most of a week. This disease takes so much from so many.
I wish your family the very best in your journey to deal with the battle that is Alzheimers.
Brett