Why I Walk… Stacey’s Story Alzheimer’s
My family is doing the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year in Orland Park, Illinois. This is the first time we are doing it, and we are dedicating our walk to our beloved Uncle Robbie. We began to sign up for the walk when our uncle was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Of course we thought what an amazing way to raise money for this heartbreaking disease. We had pictured wheeling our Uncle Robbie through that finish line.
My family is doing the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year in Orland Park, Illinois. This is the first time we are doing it, and we are dedicating our walk to our beloved Uncle Robbie. We began to sign up for the walk when our uncle was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Of course we thought what an amazing way to raise money for this heartbreaking disease. We had pictured wheeling our Uncle Robbie through that finish line. Sadly, that cannot happen because our angel gained his wings on March 18, 2015. Robbie was a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to all. He also had Down syndrome. He was a lovable, caring, funny, extraordinary person. His smile brightened up the room. He loved to sing, dance, eat, and drink pop. His favorite dance was the Moonwalk just like his favorite singer, Michael Jackson. We titled our team “The Rock,” because that’s just what he was. Not only did he love the Rock, the wrestler, but he was indeed “the rock” of our family. He was the most important person in our family.
My family is not only walking to find a cure for this disease, but also to raise awareness for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s. There is a link between the two, and they just don’t know why yet. People with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s early on in their lives. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s affects them at a much more rapid pace. My uncle began to show signs of forgetfulness about four years ago, but we never thought anything of it. Last year, a doctor diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s and said he was pretty far along. My uncle was always able to do things for himself. He was very advanced for someone with Down syndrome. He could wake himself up in the mornings, take a shower, make his breakfast, pack his lunch, dress himself, do laundry, clean his room, etc. The more prevalent the Alzheimer’s got, the less he could do. It started off with him needing help going to the bathroom and bathing. Then things got worse, and he had to be put in diapers. He began to forget how to walk. At times, he didn’t know our family. He began needing equipment to take care of him such as a wheelchair, hospital bed, etc.
Eventually, we had to call in hospice to help us care for him. Initially we called in hospice to get the proper equipment we needed and help us change/bathe him. Our “Rock” began deteriorating right before our eyes. Alzheimer’s disease took the life out of him. He stopped eating and drinking, and we knew his body couldn’t take much more. Since we had Robbie at home, we had family members over every day. We wanted him as comfortable as possible and surrounded by all his loved ones. If there was one thing that Robbie loved most in the world, it was his family. It was so hard to watch the Alzheimer’s disease take our beloved Robbie from us. He didn’t deserve it; No one does. This disease is heartbreaking and so hard for the person suffering and the families. No body’s memories deserve to be taken from them. Our family will continue to raise money to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease as well as raise awareness for people with Down syndrome with Alzheimer’s disease forever. We will do this walk in honor of our sweet angel every year. We may not be able to see him walking with us, but we are certain he will be Moon-walking across that finish line.
-Stacey Kassitas
Click here and join one of our 21 Walks in Greater Illinois Chapter.
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php