I have read on these message boards and those of other AD websites that many caregivers want Oprah to have another show about the disease. She has done two, to my knowledge, but everyone who writes her either gets no response or something negative. What about suggesting that the theme of the program be The Alzheimer Spouse? Joan could be the spokesperson, perhaps with some of the other articulate people who participate on these boards. Her show is probably one of the best ways of educating the public and drawing attention to what we are facing. Any reactions?
Sounds good to me. You are right in that any programs on AD deal with the caregiver being a child or sibling. As we all know, being the spouse has totally different dynamics. One way to get her attention is to start a thread on her message boards. I don't know if one can since I have only been to her site once. If you can, that might be the way.
This Oprah idea was discussed this morning under the topic -"E-mail to the White House". I am going to move all of those comments here, so everyone will see them.
As for Dr. Phil - I was going to write to him, but after reading all of his rules, I decided against it. Basically, according to the "terms of agreement", I could write to him about this website, suggest Alzheimer's and Spouses as a topic, tell him all that we have accomplished here, and he could take the idea, do a show on it, and not mention me or the website AT ALL. He could take all of the credit for the idea. I'm altruistic to a point, but I thought that was carrying it too far.
See below for the Oprah comments. Oh, and one more thing about Oprah - I wrote on her message boards about the Alzheimer spouse topic and this website, and THEY REMOVED IT. I wasn't allowed to mention a competing website. As if I have the clout to compete with Oprah. Geez.
kelrote Comment Time 14 hours ago This is my first post, having been a lurker for about a month after finding the boards totally by accident while doing some ALZ research (found the Coconut Oil thread in Dec. - Now excited to see Dr. Newport's posts 1/28). I am an Alzheimer's daughter (rather than spouse) so hopefully this is allowed. I have been thinking for the past year that there has to be some way to get a BIG WIG - like Oprah - on the Alzheimer's bandwagon - in high visibility. Maybe President Obama is just the link needed to get that moving. Oprah could be the Alzheimer's Czar. She could tackle the Alzheimer's Crisis while the President works on the Economic Crisis.
CommentAuthorAdmin CommentTime7 hours ago Kelrote,
Thank you for your idea, but I am here to let everyone know that we probably have a better chance with President Obama than Oprah. She has gatekeepers at least as strong as the sharpshooters that guard the White House. I have contacted Oprah, and have been completely ignored. Granted, it was early on - a month or so after I started this website, before it became so well known and highly visible.
I have been told that there are two ways to get to Oprah. The first is to be relentless. Write every week non-stop until her staff finally gives in. The second is to know someone who knows someone who knows her.
I was planning on attending the Alzheimer's Public Policy Forum in DC this year, as I did last year. However, the CEO of my Alz. Florida chapter informs me that, due to budget restraints, she doesn't know if they are sending a delegation from their office. Considering those of us who went last year paid for everything ourselves, I need to talk to her more about it. Check the home page of this website - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - look on the left side, and scroll down to the section of the DC Forum. You can read all about last year's trip.
My suggestions would be - everyone who reads this website - bombard Oprah with e-mails about this site and the desperate need for Alzheimer's awareness and funding. Secondly, do the same on the local, state, and federal level with all of your representatives and senators. Third, log onto www.alz.org., and sign the letter they have that goes to President Obama.
...[sigh]... Oprah's gatekeepers are so strong that they kept the warnings about her thyroid from her for months. Her experienced viewers had spotted her symptoms really early, and were begging her to get tested, literally for months before someone let her know about multiple emails from multiple people all over the world. Frankly, the woman has a goiter!
So much for the idea of asking her to do something, even a show, about the realities of Alzheimer's. Or Alzheimer's caregiving.
Catching up on old Oprah shows that I've recorded, tonight we watched one from March with Montel Williams, who has MS. He has written a book and was on to plug it--she also featured short segments with Magic Johnson (HIV), Fran Drescher (cancer) and Scott Hamilton. Still nothing on AD.
I met Maria Shriver in DC in March. I also know someone from the Alzheimer's Assoc. in DC who can get in contact with her. Right now, Maria is tied up in Massachusetts with her mother, who seriously ill and is in ICU. After I move, I will get the ball rolling on contacting her and see if we can get some real publicity, and possibly Oprah. It would also be best to wait until my book comes out, because a book always gets their attention. I've learned a lot in the past 2 years, and conncections and books are the portal. It's just the way it is.
Yes, Maria Shriver and Oprah met here in Baltimore in the 1970's (I think) when they both worked for a local TV station--WJZ. I was really surprised that Oprah didn't have her on to publicize the HBO Alzheimer's Project series. Maybe they are not as close as we think.
Take the book and try to get on Good Morning America Joan, then when on the show tell how hard you have tried to reach Oprah, that show seems to get both Gail and Oprah when they want them.