Hope, & Walking to End Alzheimer's

The annual Quad Cities (Lewiston, Clarkston, Moscow, Pullman) Walk to End Alzheimer's was this past Saturday, September  27.  It was the second time I joined the walk. The first time was September 2021. My husband, Gary had passed away with Alzheimer's  in October the previous year. I was blessed to have the support of several friends as they joined me to walk for Team Gary Dobbs.                                                                                 

The following years I stayed away from participating. It seemed the 'Walk' date always conflicted with other appointments, activities, travel plans I had on my calendar. Or maybe there was  another deeper, darker reason.  I didn't want to associate with the enemy - the wretched disease that stole my darling  husband from me. From our sons and grandchildren. The evil Alzheimer's who left me without my soulmate; my life partner, my love. I didn't want to be reminded of Al. - of the thief and killer it was. And is.  

But somewhere tendered away in my heart I understood it's not just me and my family Al  has robbed and shattered. 7.2 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's (with projections reaching  13.6 million by 2060). Nearly every one has known someone - family member, friend, neighbor who has been touched  by this dreaded disease. At Saturday's gathering each participant was asked to choose a colored cloth flower to hold while walking.  Purple to represent the death of a loved one, Blue for someone living with Alzheimer's or Dementia, Yellow for a caregiver, Orange for someone who supports the cause, and White for hope  there will soon be a cure.  Hope. There is always hope. One reason for The Walk is to give witness to Hope. To encourage one another. Those  of us who have taken this unplanned for, unwanted journey, and those  on it now. To bring awareness, and raise funds for studies that will have positive results in finding a vaccine to defeat, and eliminate the evil Alzheimer's. Hope that there will be a cure. 

                                                    

 And yes, to be reminded. Sorrowful though it is. Reminded Alzheimer's doesn't strike just one family, one household, one community, one country but attacks wherever it chooses, to whom it chooses. Unexpected. Always leaving anguish and heartache, and loss in its path. To be reminded the battle goes on, even  after the passing of our loved one. Until there's a cure there will always be someone else suffering the slow ravages of Alzheimer's and needing the support of  a kindred spirit. 

While researchers believe age, family history, Genetics, and certain medical conditions contribute to  Alzheimer's, as of yet there isn't a single link to what the cause is. According to some studies there are multiple factors, including mutations in genes, and the accumulation of two proteins in the brain. According to the Alzheimer's  Association web site,  of 7.2 million people age 65 or older with Alzheimer's in the U.S., 4.4 million are women. Another study shows a higher percentage of Latino and Afro-American men have Alzheimer's over white males. And because Finland has the highest rate of Alzheimer's, climate is being looked at as a possible cause. 

 To Hope. To believe. To walk and carry on. I've already committed to next year's  Walk to End Alzheimer's. Along with the Purple flower signaling my husband has died, I will also  carry a White flower showing I remain hopeful that someday there will be a cure.

                                                   

In sweet, loving memory of my darling husband, Gary Dobbs

           

*** For more information about Alzheimer's, in of need help and support, or looking for a Walk to End Alzheimer's event in your area please visit Alz.org