AlzHub

Thank You Lauren Kessler For Writing Dancing With Rose

I first read Dancing With Rose by Lauren Kessler when it was published in the Los Angeles Times Magazine that’s included in the Sunday Times.

Just about every article I come across approaches Alzheimer’s disease as a devastating disease and the people suffering from Alzheimer’s as such a terrible loss. But that’s only partially true.

Alzheimer’s patients have so much left to give. They have pride and determination and a need to feel useful and appreciated. Just like the rest of us. Alzheimer’s makes that difficult, but they never give up. They have a real appreciation for any moment where they feel like they remember they should.

I take mom out for lunch every week because that’s something she’s always liked to do. She may forget that we went to lunch as quickly as the ride home, but she has a great time while we’re there. I let her pay a couple of her bills every month. She wouldn’t remember to do this on her own. She complains about the cost of things and she feels in control of her life.

Mom refuses to believe that there is anything wrong with her. She’s convinced she’s perfectly fine. She worries more about how I’m doing than about herself. That’s the mom I’ve always known. She’s still in there. Alzheimer’s takes away the memories but it can’t take the person. It can’t take away the fight to remain that person.

That’s why I really like Lauren Kessler’s article. Instead of focusing on the negative, she understands and writes from a more positive perspective. Don’t just dwell on what a person can no longer do, everyone benefits when you look for and give people a chance to do what they still enjoy.

Here’s an excerpt from her article:

“What you hear in the media is: This is the most godawful disease you can have,” she says. “But a number of the people who work with Alzheimer’s don’t think of it that way.” She pauses, and then chooses her words carefully. “People with Alzheimer’s don’t have the ability to remember yesterday or plan for tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the ability to enjoy right now. A lot of people don’t understand that.”

Read the complete article here.

Additional link:
Lauren Kessler's website

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Endorses Proposition 71

*UPDATE*
Proposition 71 passed by a margin of 59% to 41%.
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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger endorses Proposition 71 - The California Stem Cell Research And Cures Initiative.

Governor Schwarzenegger does so against the stance of his political party and in the face of a budget crisis.

Articles here:

Schwarzenegger Backs Calif. Stem Cell Initiative
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Endorses Prop 71

Tribute To A Grandfather

Here’s another personal tribute that I would like to pass along. This was one of the first that I had read and I’ve never forgotten it.

The writer shares a memory of his grandfather that is said so well and says so much. The Alzheimer’s provided an opportunity to see firsthand what kind of man his grandfather was.

Blackfive – Alzheimer’s October 1, 2003

Memory Walk 2004 - Los Angeles

I participated yesterday in the Los Angeles version of the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk at Hollywood Park.

The morning started out by visiting information booths from different providers of services and products related to Alzheimer’s. At 8:30, the celebrities were introduced that would be joining us in the walk. This is one of the advantages of the Los Angeles walk. The celebrities this year were: Steve Edwards (host), David Hyde Pierce, Bryan Cranston, Shelley Fabares, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Leeza Gibbons, Sharon Lawrence and Rafer Johnson. Celebrities help to get coverage for the event and tend to bring out more people to participate. Unfortunately, they participate for the same reasons the rest of us do. Each one has a close family member that has Alzheimer’s or has died from the disease.

At 8:45, a Lucille Ball impersonator got everyone warmed up and at 9:00 the walk started. You had a choice of a 2 mile or 3 mile walk along the stands and into the track infield. The 3 mile walk went along the backstretch and on part of the grass track itself.

I was happy to see how many people showed up to walk and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. There were individuals, groups of family or friends and large groups representing companies. During the walk, the line of people stretched as far as I could see. Many wore custom shirts or tributes to the person(s) they were walking for pinned to their shirts. There were also participants that had been diagnosed themselves with Alzheimer’s. The largest group, and the largest group fundraiser, was Wells Fargo.

After the walk, the celebrities took the stage again to announce the top 3 individual and group fundraisers. Then they lined up along some tables for an autograph session while a band took the stage.

There are still some Memory Walks yet to take place. Check the link above or in the left sidebar to see if there are any coming up in your area. Sign up to participate or make a donation. It’s for a good cause.

I’ve also added a link in the left sidebar to some photo’s that I took at the walk. Just click anywhere on the changing photo display to see them all.