I invite you to log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and read today's blog. It is highly opinionated (mine), and gives everyone a lot to think about. Also included is a link to the full text of Tony's Candlelight Vigil speech- well worth reading.
Please post your own opinions and comments here, keeping in mind, we are not expressing political opinions for or against any political party or politician. We're just commenting on my opinions expressed in the blog on advancing advocacy for the Alzheimer cause.
Hi Joan: I could not have said it better. Thank you for all your efforts not only in DC but all year long on this site. I am glad to have been able to meet other members in person and spend time advocating with you. Thank you for sharing my speech at the vigil, it was an experience of a lifetime and I think it brought some attention to EOAD. Take care and best wishes. Your friend; Tony
Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. I have spoken publicly about Steve's illness and know how difficult it is to do. But at the same time, the importance of educating people about the disease, and especially that is isn't just the "old" that are afflicted, is paramount. I was approached by the Greater MD Chapter of the Alz Assn very early in the process--I had not even told many people about the dx outside of our immediate circle at that time. I think they invited me to speak because of our ages--I was 56 when Steve was dx around 60. I decided that speaking was, simply, the right thng to do. As time went by and Steve became more comfortable with the diagnosis, he has joined me at several of the conferences and has spoken on living with the disease. Joan, you mentioned, I believe, that Sid is scheduled to do this. I think it has been therapeutic for Steve to talk about it publicly and had actually helped in his acceptance of the situation in general. Hopefully, it will be a very positive experience for Sid as well.