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
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
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
By: Dorothy Bagsby My name Dorothy Bagsby, I live in Seattle. I retired from The Port of Seattle as a Lease Accountant III with 30 years of service. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, minor in sociology and two years of graduate study in public administration. I am a Certified Manager. I love reading, walking, music, attending church, participating in community charity and … Continue reading Caregiving with my sisters: Why I Walk
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)
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
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
am 43 years old and from Guadalajara, Mexico. I am the youngest of 11 kids that my mom had — yes, 11! As the youngest of my family, I usually took care of my mom’s needs. We started to notice some changes in my mom’s behavior around eight years ago. She seemed sadder. She was usually pretty much an independent woman, strong and happy. She smiled at all people, and was a friendly and nice lady. Continue reading It’s for you Chelito: Why I Walk
By: Bethmarie Fahey For the past year, I’ve been writing about caring for my elderly mother with Alzheimer’s. I’ve written pages on the effects of the disease, how it stole the vibrant, fun-loving person I knew and left behind a stranger. My world revolved around her current state of mind and what I needed to do to protect her from harm. My time wasn’t my … Continue reading Moving On – Life After Death
By Janet Tarbutton My name is Janet Tarbutton. I live in Liberty Lake, WA with my husband, Alan. We were high school sweethearts in Orange, CA. We went to rival town high schools and met at church. We are celebrating 42 years of marriage in July 2020. We love to travel, play golf and be outdoors as much as possible. We have so many wonderful … Continue reading A role reversal in our marriage: Becoming a caregiver
