Advocacy Forum Spotlight: Ashley Bock

“I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease several years ago. I was extremely close to him, he was pretty much my hero. He has helped mold me into the person I am today, so watching him battle this disease really made me want to take action. I wasn’t going to sit back and watch it happen to other people.”

Ashley Bock, 30, is from Antioch, Illinois and works in Sales Operations for CVS Health. This year will be her second year participating in the Advocacy Forum in Washington D.C. and her first time leading a Forum team!  Ashley also participates in several other Association volunteer opportunities, such as the Illinois Action Summit, the ACCR (Alzheimer’s Association Community Representative) program, and the Lake County Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee where she served as Chair for five years. She also enjoys reading, ice fishing, boating and traveling with her husband, Matt.

“My husband and I are very social people who are always trying something new. We love to be busy- whether that’s having dinner with friends or traveling. We take several vacations – even if they are just long weekends. It’s very important to me take time and make memories with my friends and family.”

What is your personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease?
“I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease several years ago. I was extremely close to him – he was pretty much my hero. He has helped mold me into the person I am today, so watching him battle this disease really made me want to take action. I wasn’t going to sit back and watch it happen to other people.”

What impact has Alzheimer’s had on your family?
“It definitely affected my mom and aunt who lost their father to this disease, along with my siblings and my cousins who lost their grandfather. This disease really shook our world because we had to step up and be caretakers for him and try and keep him out of a facility as long as possible. It was upsetting for me to watch this man who had a very proud work ethic be slowly taken away and stripped of everything by the disease. On a more positive note, we have all come together as a family since losing him. We all do different volunteer opportunities together and even have a Walk to End Alzheimer’s team together. So, as hard as it was when he was alive and had the disease, he was able to bring us together. “

What’s been the most positive aspect of it?
“Seeing us turn Capitol Hill purple is always very motivating for me. When I see everyone on Capitol Hill wearing the Alzheimer’s Association sash, it reminds me that I am not alone and that this disease did not just affect my family. Together, we are trying to make the future a better place by advocating for this disease. Also, getting the chance to have that face-to-face conversation with your legislator is so important, because you know they’ve taken time out of their day and they are invested in hearing what you have to say. It really feels like we are making a difference.”

What is like to be an Alzheimer’s Advocate?
“At times it can be challenging, but it is very meaningful work. Yes, we’re advocating for those currently living with the disease, but we are also advocating for the future. We are advocating for ourselves, our friends, our family… I advocate in memory of my grandfather, and even though my work now isn’t going to help him, I know that my work will make a difference for future generations. So for me, it’s very meaningful to know that we are advocating and making an impact on an issue that affects so many people.”

What is your favorite aspect of attending the Forum?
“Making connections with people from across the country! We all have at least one thing in common that bonds us together, and that bond is very strong. You might see someone from another state that you only see once a year, but you always have that common goal. We all want to end Alzheimer’s, and we are all there to support each other. The entire experience is a constant reminder that you are not alone in this fight, and that we can accomplish amazing things when we work together.”

What would you say to someone who was considering attending the Forum but maybe wasn’t sure?
“I would tell them that I was that person three years ago, and I didn’t attend. The following year I did attend, and I will never miss a year going forward. It is one of the best experiences you could have and one of the things I look forward to every year. Not only do you learn so much, but you make those close connections to people. It is just an amazing experience. I would tell that person that it is 100% worth it.”

Let’s work to make Illinois a dementia-capable state!
Sign up for the 2017 Illinois Action Summit, join a WALK, or learn more about becoming an AACR.