The world turned purple today in honor of #EndAlzheimers, an awareness campaign currently trending on Twitter. People were urged to wear the color and post to social media in support of research organizations attempting to better understand (and eventually cure) the disease.
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly eats away certain brain functions. Sufferers may eventually lose the ability to speak or understand language. Gradually, bodily functions shut down, eventually resulting in death.
I spoke to a young woman in Memphis, Tennessee about her experiences with Alzheimer’s. Both her grandmother and great grandmother died of complications relating to the disease.
I lost my grandmother on my dad's side & Great grandmother on my mom's side to this terrible disease. I think it's time to #EndAlzheimers
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
‘Her personality was unmatched.’
She shared her story with me via Twitter, under the handle @WhitWozniczka. I first asked her to describe her grandmother’s personality before she was afflicted with the disease.
@BertrandMedia Her personality was unmatched. Every Halloween she dressed up with the kids, every Christmas she bought Rudolph Blinky noses.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
‘At a year she was bedridden. At two years she was gone.’
I then inquired when she recognized the first signs of illness.
@BertrandMedia She used to get the kids from school. She got lost on the way & ended up wrecking her car, forgetting where she was going.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
“That was the first red flag for us.” She adds.
One of the first Alzheimer’s symptoms to present itself is sudden short-term memory loss. Mental and bodily degeneration follows soon afterward.
@BertrandMedia She was only 45 when it set in. 6 months-she couldn't spell her name. At a yr- she was bed ridden. at 2 years, she was gone.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is just six years, but many don’t survive their third.
She then spoke about her great grandmother, who she describes being particularly close to.
“My great grandmother was quite different.” She said. “Hers didn’t set in until she was about 70-something.”
@BertrandMedia She was my favorite person in the world. As far as I'm concerned she hung the moon and stars.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
“She was as sassy as the day was long”
“She used to sew all of my clothes. She sold Pecan Pralines. She was from New Orleans and she was as sassy as the day was long.
Every morning she left her room once in her PJ’S to get coffee. Came back out in full clothing. Hair, makeup. Shoes to match.
She could make a shoe round a corner and knock you out. She would sing and dance with me. She loved to sing and dance. She drove from Memphis to pick me up from North Carolina because I wanted her too. I was 4. I spent every day with her.”
I asked her how her great grandmother’s diagnosis affected her.
@BertrandMedia It left a void that nothing has been able to fill. When I lost her, I lost a piece of my soul that day. I can't get that back
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
“Always know that they love you, even when they can’t remember your name.”
For families and friends of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she had this advice:
@BertrandMedia It doesn't get any easier. Don't get frustrated, it's not their fault. Offer them choices. Let them retain some dignity.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
@BertrandMedia Remember who they were. Who they are. Even when you see the light leave their eyes. Love them. Love them harder.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
@BertrandMedia And always always know that they love you. Even when they can't remember your name. Know they love you unconditionally.
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
I want to take the time to thank @WhitWozniczka for the frank and heartfelt conversation.
I'd give both of my legs to see my Nonnie again. I'll spend the rest of my life missing & needing her #EndAlzheimers pic.twitter.com/MXVjX8EcHu
— Whit. (@WhitWozniczka) June 19, 2015
We asked The Alzheimer’s Association what we can do to #EndAlzheimers. They responded via Twitter.
@BertrandMedia People can pledge to #GoPurple in June (https://t.co/8wqKq6fAYH) & take action: https://t.co/HDYhmzwrl0. #EndAlzheimers
— Alzheimer's Association (@alzassociation) June 19, 2015
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