JOAN’S WEEKEND BLOG – AUGUST 24-26, 2007- BEING THANKFUL FOR THE POSITIVE
Announcement – EOAD program to watch in the Southern Florida area. We have discussed EOAD (Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease) frequently on this website. Please see copy of e-mail announcement below: I have pasted a link for the program's transcript at the end of the e-mail for those of you who are not able to watch.

Hello!
We are fortunate to have a friend in Jim Sackett, lead evening anchor for WPTV Newschannel 5, NBC affiliate. 
He has done an in depth story on a family living with early onset Alzheimer’s and the critical need for support of Alzheimer’s research.  He is given this 3 ½ minute opportunity once every 8 or 10 weeks from the Anchor Desk with Jim Sackett.  This one of Alzheimer’s will play this Sunday August 26 at the 10am newscast.  Watch it!
The stars are Lorenzo and Roxanne Rodriguez with sons Lorenzo and Eddie, and Dr Malcolm Leissring, premier Alzheimer’s scientist who was awarded a $240K grant from Alzheimer’s Association (Chicago) in July.  Click here to read transcript.

I know the Rodriguez family personally, and they are fantastic people, just like all of you, dealing with a very difficult situation – a relatively young wife and teenagers watching their husband and father disappear before their eyes. Please watch if you are able.

Now to the subject of thankfulness   – Most of the time, we are so overburdened with responsibilities and sadness for the relationship we have lost, that we don’t take the time to look at the good things in our lives. Let’s do that now:
Our children – some of us have more than others; some of them are not supportive, but what about the ones who are? Think about the children you have who give you support and pleasure, and be thankful. I have one child, a son, who lives 3000 miles away, runs his own website business, has another full time job, and still is there all day every day when I need him to help with my technical problems. I am proud of him, and grateful to have him.
Our grandchildren – well, your grandchildren. I’m still lacking in that department. I’m told that nothing brings more joy than a grandchild’s hug and kiss. There is a saying that grandchildren are God’s gift for having survived bringing up your own children. Be thankful for the delight those grandchildren bring you.

The friends who stayed – yes, we have talked about the ones who left, but there are a few, maybe only one, who has stuck with you, and is on call to help when you need it. Maybe it’s just to pick up a prescription for you on their way home, or shovel your walk when it snows, or on the opposite end of the country, put up the hurricane shutters, but most of us have someone we can call a true friend. For that, we should be thankful. I am lucky enough to have more than one – they know who they are – I appreciate all of you.

The moments of connection – the loss of companionship and the accompanying loneliness is an unrelenting pain we have discussed, but once in a while, we reconnect with the spouse that was. It may only be for a day, an evening, or as little as an hour, but when it happens, we feel the love and closeness that was, and it is bliss. For those moments, we should be thankful.
Alzheimer Support Groups–Here we find people like us who understand everything we are going through – they are experiencing the same problems, emotions, and pain. In these environments, we feel safe enough to vent, scream, and cry for help. I am thankful to the Alzheimer Association for the social workers and groups they provide.

I hope you take a little time this weekend to think of, and be thankful for, the good things in your life.
Keep writing on the Message Boards – I will check in often and post them quickly.

©Copyright 2007 Joan Gershman  

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