Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Today I joined approximately two thousand people in Columbia, South Carolina, on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I was accompanied by daughters, Sheri and Sandra, and grandchildren, Emily and Michael.

The organizers asked me to speak on behalf of those who have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Our daughter taped the speech which you can access at the end of this post:

Below is what I said:

Ten years ago, my wife and I sat in the doctor’s office at Duke University Medical Center awaiting the results of their evaluation of Linda’s cognitive functioning. Then came the dreaded news: Dementia, Frontotemperal Dementia.

On that cold, rainy November day, we embarked on a treacherous journey. Every aspect of our lives changed as we adapted to the realty of perpetual loss and relentless grieving. I retired from a treasured faculty position. We moved to SC to be near our daughters and their families. Everything changed—finances, relationships, activities, abilities.

But one reality remained constant: LOVE!

Three weeks ago, October 3, Linda’s struggle ended. She died peacefully in our home. Though I am grateful that her long struggle with the terrible disease has ended and she is at peace, I miss her presence terribly. After 58 years of marriage, I am now adjusting to the new reality of her absence. Yet, I will never be without her, since we are never totally separated from those with whom our lives are intertwined in the bond of covenantal love.

Her spirit will be with me every step of this walk!

I am walking today to —

remove the stigma of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
assure those with dementia: “You are not forgotten. Though you may forget, we will remember.”
affirm that we are more than our brains or capacities: we have inherent worth and dignity
declare to caregivers: “You are valued! You are not alone! We are in this together!”
advocate for governmental support for research, treatment, and financial support for the healthcare crisis Alzheimer’s represents
commit to do all I can to end Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia so that my daughters and grandchildren will not fear that they will have to endure these dreaded diseases.

So, let us walk together, work together, grieve together, and GIVE TOGETHER so that together we can END ALZHEIMER’S!

5 thoughts on “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”

Thanks for the blessed words…

Sent from my iPhone

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Good to see you decked in Alzheimer’s purple with your daughters and grandkids ~ and with a mic to so ably speak up for Linda and your Long Goodbye. Thanks for continuing the Long Journey to help us get a hold on dementia.

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I am sorry to hear of your wife’s passing although a blessing to leave behind her earthly body for her heavenly robe. I am glad you are keeping active and appreciated reading your Alzheimer’s Walk speech. Thank you for taking on the commitment to support research to eradicate dementia-related diseases. While your heart may be heavy, you’ve also begun a new focus with the same gift of deep love and caring for the future of your family and many others who live with famiily history of dementia and Alzheimer’s and the knowledge of how it might also impact their lives directly.

Thank you all these years for sharing your personal walk with Linda’s dementia decline via this blog. More importantly, I have learned from it that love is the anchor and springboard of all difficult actions taken on behalf of a spouse who can’t speak for his or herself. You’ve provided such a profound lesson in the value of a person even when he or she is changed by disease. I experienced this same life lesson when my grandmother had a life-altering stroke and lived in a diminished physical capacity for another 10 years under the care of my mother and step-father. Even in those years, my grandmother continued to teach us many things and was a continued blessing, even in the most difficult times. Love prevailed.

Thank you for this intimate walk with Linda and you, your daughters and extended family these past years via “ Shifting Margins”. May you continue to be a blessing to many, especially your children and grandchildren. May you find joy in doing so.

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