Just over 10 years ago our mother, Rosalyn, helped care for our grandmother, who eventually passed away from Alzheimer’s. Little did we know, it would be 4 years before our mother would be diagnosed with the same disease.
Our mother had always been the fix it person in our lives. She really could make anything better. She had a plan of action for every obstacle. The right words to ease any upset. A ready, clean tissue in her purse for every tear or scrape. And a hug that made us feel calm and safe.
Each stage of her accelerating decline has brought a new sadness, probably because the one time she has needed us to find a remedy, we have been unable to. For a woman who loved to interact with others, she’s no longer able to communicate. On the few occasions she was able to convey her own sense of complete helplessness, her sorrow was palpable. Since, normal daily activities have become a struggle for her, if not impossible. She is a shell of the driven, capable woman she was not too long ago. In her eyes, through a thin layer of cloud, we can sometimes see she’s still in there, but there’s nothing that can bring her back.
Every step of the way our father, Stephen, has shown tremendous love, support and patience in caring for her. His strength and selflessness is truly humbling.
Always active but never “runners”, my brother and I are running the NYC Marathon for the Alzheimer’s Association in support of our amazing parents and all the wonderful memories they have given us. Hopefully this comparatively small accomplishment will help ensure that at some point in the near future others won’t have to endure the same pain our family has experienced.
In honor of all those who have suffered, are suffering and will suffer from this horrible and currently incurable disease that robs one of something so precious – their memories. And of course, to all those incredible people who care for them.
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