Let's find a cure for this cruel disease

My sweet mother passed away.

I have been hanging low lately. Everyone deals with grief in their own way. For me, I have been dealing with my own thoughts in private. But I am starting to feel a little better now and I wanted to share about the passing of my mom. The weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas were a blur for me; they turned out to be the final stage in my mom’s long journey.

When my mom was only 67, we knew something was wrong with her memory. At the age of 69 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It has been a very long 13 years for our family struggling with this cruel disease. My heart broke 5,000 times as my mom’s independence was slowly taken from her. Two years ago, she lost almost all ability to talk. It was so painful for me, but I loved her and she was still “in there”. She wasn’t the same person that I knew my whole life, but she was still my mom. And so, I enjoyed her company the best I could. I was her faithful advocate, and tried to do everything I could to help her be safe and comfortable and live her best life possible, given the circumstances.

A few weeks ago, she passed away. I spent 16 days with her in the hospital. Looking into her eyes and telling her how much I loved her, that she wasn’t alone, and that it was okay to leave this world. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my young and happy life.

She gave me the best gift a parent could ever give: a happy childhood. I am grateful every day for all the love, time and energy that she gave me. She is the reason that I have so many healthy relationships in my life. In the end, Alzheimer’s took everything from her. She wasn’t able to talk, walk, drink, eat, or move any part of her body; she couldn’t even scratch her head. The only thing she could do was move her eyes and, remarkably, recognize me. The fact that she still knew who I was, was the sweetest and saddest thing that I have ever experienced. Even though Alzheimer’s took everything from her body and mind, it did not take away her ability to love me.

My mom was a wonderful person. She didn’t just love me unconditionally, she adored me. I was always loved, cared for, and listen-to. I was always a priority, and everything about my life was important to her. The world would be a better place if more people were like my mom. Her love lives on in every breath I take. Rest in peace my sweet mother; you will live forever in my heart.

My father Fred, my brother Steven, and I are making a donation to an amazing charity. Of course it’s in honor of my mother Cynthia, but it’s also to everyone we love in hope of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. Below is the charity’s website so you can see what they accomplish.

htts://cureslz.org

100 % of all donations, donated to cureALZ, go to finding a cure through medical research. They encourage their scientists to pursue wild ideas and take bold risks. I don’t want to die the way my mother did. I don’t want my children to see what I saw. I don’t want any of my friends or their children to ever experience this cruel disease.

There’s no dollar value that anyone could attach to all the support I’ve received over the last 13 years. My heart is already grateful and full. I certainly don’t want anyone to feel obligated to donate to this organization. I already love you. No judgment will be passed whether a person donates or not. I simply really want to do what I can to help this world put an end this disease. It won’t help my mom, but I hope that it helps someone else’s loved one.

Thank you for your love and kindness during this difficult time.