Local woman creates knitwear to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com
Megan was just 8 years old when her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. After a long battle with the disease, her grandmother passed in September 2016. Since then, Megan has dedicated her time to raising awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association and educating others about the reality of Alzheimer’s disease through a talent she has – knitting.
Local woman creates knitwear to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease
This time of year is always difficult for Megan Russell – the holidays remind her of the devastating affects Alzheimer’s took on her grandmother and the toll it took on her family.
When Megan was just 8 years old, her grandmother, the matriarch of her family, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In September 2016, after a long battle with the disease, her grandmother passed, with her grandfather passing shortly after. Since then, Megan has dedicated her time to raising awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association and educating others about the reality of Alzheimer’s disease.
“I kept thinking about how I knew that there was something more that I could do, there was some talent I knew that I could utilize to get people interested and get people motivated enough to donate,” Megan said. “Then it kind of just clicked my head…”
As an avid-knitter, she created “Lasting Memories Knitwear,” an avenue to sell hand-made knitwear with all proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter.
The Chicago resident fulfills each order with a photo and personal story of someone who has been affected by Alzheimer’s disease. She wanted more than to raise funds. She wanted to show people that Alzheimer’s disease isn’t just what you see in the movies.
“I feel like a lot of people’s only knowledge of Alzheimer’s is what they saw in “The Notebook” (and that was dementia, not Alzheimer’s) or they know the symptoms factually, but they don’t really understand how that affects a family or a relationship with a married couple,” Megan said. “Receiving that story in their package ultimately makes them feel like they are contributing towards helping people continue those stories. They will remember that feeling every time they put their knitwear on.”
From scarves to hats, Lasting Memories Knitwear has all of your essentials to prepare you for the Illinois winter. Megan and her team hand-make each item with patience and love, similar to the qualities needed when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Each piece takes anywhere from one to a few hours to prepare, depending on your order.
Through Lasting Memories Knitwear, Megan hopes to raise $1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. If you’re interested in purchasing a piece of knitwear and supporting Megan in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease or volunteering as a team knitter, visit the Lasting Memories Knits Etsy page at etsy.com/shop/LastingMemoriesKnits or email Megan at lastingmemoriesknitwear@gmail.com