A special gift to keep or give – Alzheimer’s Association
http://act.alz.org/site/PageNavigator/FY13_Fathers_Day_recipe_premium.html
Today I want to share an incredible story about Christina, who has devoted her life to helping others. Her beloved father suffered from Alzheimer’s for six years before passing away, and he inspired her commitment to easing the burden for families who face this dreadful disease.
As Father’s Day nears, I hope Christina will inspire you to honor a special dad in your life by making a gift in his honor.
Your gift demonstrates your commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s whether the dad you celebrate has Alzheimer’s or cares for someone living with the disease. This kind of story is too common and your donation shows that you want to help advance research and provide education, support and guidance to families caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s.
Christina’s father, Giovanni, was an accomplished Italian chef. In appreciation for your support, you can download the recipe to his signature pasta dish – one of her favorites.
Like Christina, one of the greatest gifts you can give this Father’s Day is one that helps others. Please make a donation in honor of a dad today. Thank you.
Honoring a father’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease
Christina’s life changed forever during a visit home from college, when she discovered that her father, an Italian chef, could no longer remember how to make his signature pasta dish. A short time later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Over time, Giovanni forgot every recipe he’d ever made. “Eventually, the disease robbed my father of even knowing that I was his daughter,” she says sadly.
Throughout his illness, her father was always painfully aware of the changes that were happening to him. “He knew something wasn’t right, and that he would never get better. I always tried to be strong for him, and support him in any way I could. But it was devastating to watch.”
A daughter’s favorite memory of her dad
Christina reflects on the changes Alzheimer’s wrought on her father, and on their relationship. “It’s so easy to see the disease first, and then the person,” she says. “As Alzheimer’s progresses, more and more of the person seems to slip away. But there are so many ways to share meaningful moments together and to remember that there is still a person inside.”
As an example, Christina recalls her wedding, one of her favorite memories of their years together. “It was toward the end of his illness and he was having more bad days than good,” she explains. “I was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to attend, but one of his close friends brought him.
“He was having trouble walking at that point, but not only did he walk around – he lit up. It was like he was back to being an entertainer and a host, and he loved every minute of it. We danced to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” and he looked so happy as he sang along.”
Committed to helping others facing Alzheimer’s
Christina’s journey through her father’s illness affected her profoundly, including her career decisions. She now works for the Alzheimer’s Association, providing education, guidance and support to other families “who are trying to navigate this awful and often mysterious, challenging disease,” she explains.
“I work with the different programs offered by the Association, and it blows me away that we can offer so many resources to help with this disease,” she explains. “I see firsthand what a difference these programs make in people’s lives. I hope that in my effort to help others, I honor my father, who was one of the most gentle, kind and caring people I have ever known.”
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php