2014 Alz Walk

Team Miles for Molly participated in the 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer's a few weekends ago. I am so proud to say it was our biggest year yet, biggest team and our largest amount of money raised so far!

Thanks to donations from lots of friends and family our team raised, $3,875!! We ended up in third place overall in the area! I was so proud and excited for everyone that showed up to walk and donate. Mom's elation was evident on the day, she spent her time in high spirits with only few tears coming out as she looked around at the people there to support her. As the program began she was asked to stand at the front and hold up a blue flower, which represents all those people who have dementia. As she stood there holding her flower, staring at me instead of the crowd and crying, I thought about how far we have come in one year, even two. How far this disease has attacked her brain and wondering what next year will look like. She was one of very few who was able to actually walk in the walk instead of being seated in a wheelchair looking on idly.

This year we had t-shirts made instead of the hand-made ones we have been sporting in the last few years. Aunt Tammy and I came up with a concept of a tree, half alive half dead, we felt like it signified the progression of the disease. We had a purple ribbon wrapped around the tree to signify Alzheimer's.  Aunt Tammy had come up with a saying a while back "LivE On" with the E and O standing for Early Onset in Alzheimer's. I loved the shirts, and the way the turned out! Very representative of our family's journey with this disease.

 

This was little Norah's first big outing and we wanted She and Everett to match us. We got the kids grey onesies from Hobby Lobby and the amazingly talented Lane painted a tree with Miles for Molly on their shirts! They both slept through the whole walk but were precious in their matching outfits! The first of many matching photos!!

I was so thankful to each person who gave up their Saturday morning to join us for the Walk. Mom didn't express her gratitude as I know she really wished she could and forgot later what everyone had done for her but it sticks with me and when I look at these faces I know how blessed we are with such an incredible support system of family!

1. Mom and I, 2. Patrick and Mom 3. Taren (Patrick's Girlfriend) and Mom 4. BJ, Carrie (Drew's Sister) and Everett

1. Mom and her friend from highschool Barbara 2. Aunt Tammy, Everett and Kels 3. Mom, Doss, and Aunt Charlotte, 4. Lane & Neeley