Grief into Grit: Journey of an Alzheimer’s Advocate
This year’s Clacey McNary Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Karen Marez. Continue reading Grief into Grit: Journey of an Alzheimer’s Advocate
Category: Dementia
Momentia: Community Partner of the Year
The Alzheimer’s Association Community Partner of the Year award recognizes an individual, corporation, foundation, government agency or other nonprofit organization that provides exemplary support for the work of the Alzheimer’s Association. This year’s Community Partner of the Year was awarded to Momentia. Continue reading Momentia: Community Partner of the Year
This is difficult: Why I Walk
There are a lot of other words that I could use to describe this disease, but I think this is the one I lean on the most. It’s impossible to encompass all the emotions I have about it in one word. Completely impossible. Continue reading This is difficult: Why I Walk
Missing my Granddaddy: Why I Walk
My grandaddy, James Roger Knight, along with my Granny, were incredibly involved in my life from a very young age. We always lived very close to them and they helped take care of my brother and me. Both he and my Granny are two of my favorite people. Continue reading Missing my Granddaddy: Why I Walk
Making Grandma Smile: Why I Walk
Jaxon is the leader of his Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, Jax’s End ALZ Army, one of the top fundraising teams for the Spokane Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Jaxon walks in honor of his grandma, who has been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2013. This June, Jax turned 9 years old. Jax lives in Cheney, WA with his mom, dad and older sister Jordan. When … Continue reading Making Grandma Smile: Why I Walk
For the most loving person I know: Why I Walk
By Michele Rufer I am Michele Rufer from Mill Creek, WA and I was a stay-at-home mom for my two kids most of their young lives. My husband and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year. I started my own business in 2013, which allowed me the flexibility to set my own hours. It was so great when the kids were little, and … Continue reading For the most loving person I know: Why I Walk
Team Linda’s Angels: Why I Walk
By John Morris My name is John Morris Jr., and I am 62 years old. I lost Linda, my wife of 29 years, to dementia. She was a strong woman. This is why I participate in the Columbia Basin Walk to End Alzheimer’s with Team Linda’s Angels. I noticed some changes in Linda around 2002. She had recently lost her mother, so I thought, “Well, … Continue reading Team Linda’s Angels: Why I Walk
Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action)
The Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action) study is the first federally-funded research study examining ways to improve the health and quality of life for adults aged 50 and older in the LGBTQ community with memory loss and their caregivers. It tests a tailored approach to improve physical function and independence, addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ older adults who frequently … Continue reading Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action)
For the first man I ever loved: Why I Walk
My father had Alzheimer’s disease, as did his mother (my paternal grandmother). My dad, Hans Harder, was the first man I ever loved. He was an athlete, WSU Alumni and a farmer who loved sports and raising cattle. He was the most generous person I knew. As a child, I remember him giving money to strangers on the street when we went to town. Continue reading For the first man I ever loved: Why I Walk
Fighting for families like ours: Why I Walk
My name is Becky Smith (aka “Ponytail Girl” as my dad called me). My dad, Henry Leroy Wood, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the early 2000s. My two brothers, Rick and Scott, as well as my mother Jan, have shared with me some memories and the reasons why we have chosen to participate in the North Central Washington Walk to End Alzheimer’s as Leroy’s Team. Continue reading Fighting for families like ours: Why I Walk