Meet Victoria

09 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Caregivers, Expectations, Face of Alzheimer's, Video

Tags

alzheimers, caregiving, dementia, younger onset alzheimers

This video is not only a lovely tribute from a daughter to her father, but it carries an important message. No matter how far along someone is in the disease, they deserve our attention, love, and respect.

Too many people still have this false notion that once a loved one no longer recognizes them, there’s no reason to visit. It pains me that this line of thinking still exists. Even in the latest stages, there are moments of clarity, and we just don’t know when they’ll come, but regardless, every person on the planet needs love, affection, and human interaction. Whether they remember you or not, they need you. Please don’t forget this.

Victoria’s father was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s when she was just 19-years-old. Here is her story.

Jim Garner: Alzheimer’s Angel at age 53

02 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Early Onset, Face of Alzheimer's, Grieving, Saying Goodbye

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

alzheimers awareness, alzheimers grief, missing jim, younger onset alzheimers

The Long and Winding Road extends our deepest sympathy to Karen, Frances, and Brad Garner. This loss makes us even more determined to fight like hell for an end to this insidious disease.

Photo Credit: Missing Jim

Younger Onset Alzheimers: The Epitome of Unfair

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Caregivers, Early Onset, Face of Alzheimer's, Grieving, Ruminations

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

alzheimers, alzheimers caregiving, alzheimers end of life, alzheimers grief, dementia, missing jim, younger onset alzheimers

Photo Credit: The Garner Foundation

I know we can all agree there is plenty in life that’s unfair, but at the moment one specific example is on my heart.

Not that long ago, Karen & Jim Garner and their children were just like any other family. However, all of that changed when Jim was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at age 48. Jim had a long successful career in the Air Force, and pictures from just a few years ago show a strong, handsome, athletic husband and father of two young children.

This weekend, Karen added a new post to her blog, Missing Jim. If you follow the blog you know that Karen writes with a raw, pull-no-punches honesty. I have such respect for this woman’s courage and grace. The blog is a story of true love, unexpected moments of joy, the kind of loneliness only this disease can exert on a wife, and a sense of loss that defies all logic.

In February, Jim began receiving hospice care. His decline has been swift. As I read Karen’s latest post, it reminded me of my own internal struggle in those last days with Mom. On one hand, wanting to let her go to a peaceful place where she would be whole again, yet on the other hand wanting so badly to hang on to her forever. I can’t imagine being a 46-year-old woman facing that clash of emotions as she watches her husband near the end at the hand of this horrid disease.

Please read and share Karen’s March 27th post titled, I Got That Dreaded Call. Keep this family in your prayers, and share their story. Help Karen educate the masses.

“I want people to see what Alzheimer’s Disease does to a wonderful human being. I want to break the misconception that Alzheimer’s Disease is just old people forgetting someone’s name or getting lost. I want to erase the stereotypical patient idea.” ~Karen Garner