Each week we will be picking members to spotlight to tell their Alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)
Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose - The Wonder Years
On a cold spring morning in
Washington DC, Brian sits to wait his turn to tell his story to Congress or
anyone that is willing to listen about how young Americans need to be conscious
of human life and to value every moment. He pauses, recollecting every
possible significant moment in his life. There are so many memories that
he has collected these past years, but one remains the most important….so, this
is what he would say to those who would listen…
I quickly glance at my at my
watch and the Alzheimer’s purple band that reads, “a reason to hope,” I see that
I’ve been running for exactly 2 hours 15 minutes and 43 seconds, a pace of
about 7 minutes and 20 second per mile. I have 6.2 more miles to go, I feel
confident in finishing my first marathon! As I round the corner, tons of
cheering people are clapping, but I’m starting to experience pain in my knees
and hamstrings. I remind myself that this pain is only temporary, but my pride,
my cause and my goal are forever. An adoring crowd member cheers my name, and I
am reminded that my name is on the shirt I am wearing. A shirt that caries all
the names of the different people that have donated will finish with me.
And most importantly a shirt that bears my Grandmother name who must struggle
with the Alzheimer’s disease everyday of her life since she was
diagnosed. This was my reason and inspiration to hope.
In a century of flat screens and
IPOD’s, where do we have time to think about anything, let alone, anyone but
ourselves? I’ve grown up in a generation of ‘take’, where ‘self’ and
‘mine’, overshadows ‘family’ and ‘ours’. I have the opportunity to influence the
younger generation as well as those older than me. I have experienced first
hand the meaning of family and togetherness.
In 2004, my grandmother was
diagnosed with the Alzheimer's disease. She was 83 at the time and was close to
the late stages of the disease. My family was fortunate that she still had
her long-term memory and recognizes all of us by name, but her short term
memory had failed her and she struggled with basic needs such as bathing and
consistently asking the same questions. My family had to adjust to both
helping her with her needs, as well as, witnessing the slow deterioration of
the brain and its many functions on the human body. While currently there
is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, the spread of awareness and funding for research
is one of the main benefactors that can still keep her in our hearts and
millions more from this hereditary disease.
In 2009, I volunteered for the ING
New York City Marathon and the main slogan was “one race, 37,000
stories.” I compared that slogan to Alzheimer’s where 4 million (at
the time) people are running a race that never ends. A disease where 100,000
people are affected each year and the cries and sorrows of their loved ones
linger in the air. Each and every one of us has a story; each of us has
gone through both the physical and mental hardships and of course, the memories
will never be forgotten.
Life is about many precious
moments of time, each person shares those moments with family, friends and all
the acquaintances that we meet along the way. As our life lingers, we get
older and over time our memory starts to fade, but that comes with age.
We rely on pictures to recollect that precious time we shared together.
Now, imagine yourself waking up
one morning to find that you do not know who your friends are, who your family
members are and most importantly, who you are. These are the realities of
what the Alzheimer’s disease does to a person. Usually, the disease
affects elderly people, although there are more and more cases of this disease
affecting the youth and parents.
Every marathoner remembers their
first marathon story. If they've run a lot, they might forget the details of
other races, but the first marathon lives in their mind. They will always
remember what got them running in the first place and use the marathon to keep
you inspired and to become an inspiration to others. I could never
imagine losing what I have around me, my loved ones, my memories and my first
marathon.
By the end of 2013, I would have
ran in about 43-45 marathons (conquering 30-33 states in 7 years), completed two
or three, 100-milers, four (or five) 50-milers and three (or four) 60K’s…I run
a whole lot!
I know.
Some ask, “what am I running away from?”
I don’t know.
But I know this…
In five years, my Alzheiimer’s
team has raised over 1.6 million dollars to help find a cure for research and
help their own and other families.
Nine years ago (when my
grandmother was living), my family was only able to help donate $2,500. We thought we were alone. We only ran for ourselves as I have learned
that “if you build it, they will come.”
I have a team that is 100+ this
year, all raising money for the same cause.
Even through my grandmother has passed, I still fundraise for the other
people on my team, for those who’s families suffer and for those families who
are still wondering if they carry the disease within themselves and my own
family…or even myself?
And they came, they inspire and
they have and will conquer
…amazing huh?
I think so…
They inspire me…
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