While He Still Can

When you look at the picture, I imagine you see a couple supporting Alzheimer's. In fact, what you are viewing is a brother and sister in the fight of their lives. They are not just supporting a cure for Alzheimer's, they both have Alzheimer's. Yes, you read that correctly. Meet Bryan age 42 and his sister Carrie age 40. Both have an inherited form of Early Onset Alzheimer's. Bryan and Carrie inherited the Alzheimer's mutation from their dad, who passed the day after his 43rd birthday. He was one of four brothers who inherited this very rare form of Alzheimer's from their mother. They all passed in a 9 year period. 

Bryan and Carrie have both been a part of research and a drug trial for the past 12 years. Providing their bodies and brain to evasive and taxing testing. In hopes of one day being part of solving the mystery of this MONSTER disease. They participate not only for their future but the future of millions who are suffering now and those who in the future will be consumed by this horrid disease.

Now let me get to the reason for the Go Fund Me. I am their mother and caregiver. Lovingly referred to as "Momma Bear" In the midst of all the heartache this disease has brought to our family. You have to have moments you can call upon to help you make it through. That brings me to the reason for my funding request.

Bryan is progressing with his Alzheimer's and getting close to the time that travel and other activities will not be possible. From an early age Bryan has  had an obsession with the ocean and all that it provides us. His greatest love is all things sharks. It has been his dream to swim with the sharks. For Christmas I adopted a shark for him. Her name is "Eddie'. She is a hammer head. Funny how that is the shark that they chose for him. He has a hammer head tattooed on his arm. She is in the Bahamas. We are able to track her. Hopefully we will be able to go and see Eddie in real life. I would like to be able to fulfill this dream. Being a full-time caregiver does not allow me to work. Funds for a trip like this are not in my budget. So I am reaching out in hopes that family, friends, even strangers can help make this trip a possibility.

Bryan has always been a loving caring person. Asking little of those around him. yet giving everything he has to put a smile on someone's face. He is a people person. Always putting others first. It is his dream and my hope to be able to give him this lifelong desire. He has no idea that I am doing this. Even if I told him. I am not sure he would remember. At this point, we are living for the moment and what a moment it would be to be able to do this for him.

Thank you to those who can help. I truly appreciate your kindness and generosity. As a family, we continue to fight for a cure so that someday no other family has to watch a loved one be consumed by this MONSTER disease.

Hugs, Momma Bear. #endalz#swimwiththesharks#eddie#bahamas