Proud Daughter

Yesterday is an incredible day.

My mom was invited to speak at an Alzheimer's Education conference here in Amarillo. Just a short little talk about whatever she wanted to say about the disease.

She had written some thoughts of her own down on paper the week before and I simply connected the thoughts and typed them out for her to read.

She got up in front of an lecture hall full of people and spoke candidly about her disease. She spoke on her feelings in dealing with the changes and how it has effected her.

Needless to say she recieved a standing O from the audience. The doctor's who spoke before and after didn't even recieve that.

She stumbled through some words but it was a very real dipection of her daily struggles and her motivation to carry on.

The news came by to film part of the conference itself. I was asked to do a little interview on being a "caregiver" and once the reporter heard me talk of my mom she asked if they could come interview her at home. I told Mom what they wanted to do and she quickly replied..."well I am hungry." So after a celebratory lunch at Olive Garden she was interviewed by the news.

I am so very proud of her courage to tell her story. To really share what it is like for someone to live with Alzheimer's.

She motivated the entire audience and her family watching. The director of the Alz Association called me this morning to tell me that attendees had raved about my Mom on the evaluation forms they filled out. She was absolutely their favorite part of the entire day and she only spoke for about 5 minutes.

Here is a copy of her notes that she spoke from yesterday...

My name is Molly, I am 53 years old. I was a nurse for 29 years and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Last year on my birthday I was diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer's disease.

When I First heard the news, my first thought was that my life was over at the age of 52.  I thought this news was going to kill me. I have learned that with the love and support of my family and friends that I Can live with this disease.

Before I was diagnosed I was the director of a surgical center, now I can't work and other people manage my money for me. I even have to have help writing and recognizing letters in the alphabet. I am unable to drive own my car. I Can no longer work my computer, iPad and cell phone without lots of help. I can't do my own laundry and need help remembering to take my medicines.

Some days are more difficult than others, some days I don't want to get out of bed. The changes that come with this disease often seem too difficult to bear. Everything I have known about myself and my world around me keeps changing because of this disease. There are decisions I have made for myself all my life that I cannot make any longer and when someone else makes them for me I feel like a child.

Other days are much better. Being around my family helps me see hope in the future. They give me a reason to carry on and adapt to the new world around me. I couldn't do what I do without the love and support of my family and friends!

I plead with you to continue to love and encourage your loved ones fighting Alzheimer's. This is not an easy road to walk down and we rely heavily on our caregivers.

Although there is still no  cure for dementia, If the disease is caught early enough there are medicines to take that can help to delay the progression. Exercising  is very important to keeping the brain active, my daughter picks me up at 5:30 every morning for an hour long workout to keep my brain functioning. I am taking everything I can that is receiving good results in medical studies to delay progression such as a spoonful of coconut oil. Since there is not a cure and we don't even know what causes Alzheimer's we have to do all that we can to give ourselves a fighting chance.

I have so much left in this life to live for! I want to see my daughter and youngest son marry. I want to live to hear more grandchildren call  me Nana.  I want to travel and explore the world.

We are starting a local support group for people with Early-Onset Alzheimer's and dementia for those of us living with this disease. Please contact Tracy at the Alzheimer's Association.

We need to come together stronger than ever to FIGHT this disease and find a cure!!
She is a remarkable woman!

What a great way to kick off the weekend!