Each week we will be picking a few members to spotlight to tell their Alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's ING New York City Marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on the highlighted members. This is a great way to get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random).
When I was a little girl, my Grandfather used to spend the first month of summer preparing the lake for little girls who didn't like weeds. He would endlessly rake each and every "yucky" piece of seaweed from the bottom of the lake where his house was built. My sister and I would arrive; the trampoline would be set up, the lawn mowed, beds crisply made, Grandpa's boat glimmering in the sun, cookies baked, and Grandpa's arms outstretched to greet us. He was loud, generous, FUNNY, lovable, active, stubborn, great man. When we went to the rare dinner out at a restaurant, he would always ask us girls to be his "dates." My sister and I would kindly oblige and relish in feeling like the special ones at the table.
He would stay up late with us and play card games; and moan and groan when we won. He took us to watch him play his clarinet for his "Big Band" and we danced along proudly. He played "Tea for Two" and we would listen as if the song was in another language.
He was a wonderful Grandfather; savoring his role and sharing his joy.
He got Alzheimer's and it killed him within a few short years.
That's why I am running. Because it just isn't fair to miss out on so much. So at mile 23 I plan to say to myself, "This hurts. But not as much as it hurts to die too soon."
Above is Grandpa holding my Dad as a baby. The smile never changed.
Each week we will be picking a few members to spotlight to tell their Alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's ING New York City Marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on the highlighted members. This is a great way to get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random).
Amy (far left) and grandmother beside her
Running the ING New York Marathon has been a goal of mine for a long time. While I am extremely excited to finally have the opportunity to achieve this goal, I am even more excited about the passion I have for this particular race because I am using it to help a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
My grandmother, Helen Oakley Clayton, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about 8 years ago. For those of you who have family members or friends afflicted with this disease, you can understand the heartache of how this disease can affect you, your family, and your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
I will be proudly running this race in honor of my grandmother. Alzheimer’s has affected her in a way that makes her own children, and grandchildren, unrecognizable to her. It is extremely painful to be looked at with a blank stare by someone you love so much.
My grandmother is no longer the grandmother I’ve known most of my life. She can no longer run after my cousin to discipline him after he bit one of us, she can no longer cook for 30 people at a time, she can no longer clean and do laundry for her children and grandchildren, she can no longer garden and make quilts. I’ve always been mesmerized by my grandmother’s strength and have often wondered how she became the wonderful person she is.
Growing up, I continuously watched her work hard and do things for other people. I have watched her gracefully give her heart and soul to her children and grandchildren everyday and can only hope that someday, I will be a fragment of the kind person she is.
You can imagine how difficult it is to see my now extremely skinny grandmother
continuously sob because she wants to go “home.” She can’t even attempt to find her “home” because she doesn’t have the strength to walk.
So, my dear, sweet, grandmother, this race is for you. With this race, I will continue to hope and pray that when you leave this world and this life, you will finally find your “home” in heaven.
Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their Alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's ING New York City Marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on the highlighted members. This is a great way to get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random).
Bert, 3 years old with his mother, Sonja
On Sunday, November 7, 2010 I will embark on what I consider to be one of the most exciting and most memorable endeavors of my life. I will run a marathon in New York City, one of the greatest cities in the world, with my brother.
I am running in memory of my mother and my grandfather, who both passed away from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. I want my marathon run to be for a valuable cause and to have a positive impact on others. I am honored to have the opportunity to run this marathon as a member of Team Run to Remember (R2R), representing the New York City Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to finding a cure for people affected by this disease.
The memory of my mother, Sonja Quarfordt, and my grandfather, Gustav Benson, will be my driving force to keep me going in preparing for and running this race. I have set a personal goal of raising contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association as part of my commitment.
