Today is the 9th anniversary of my mom’s passing from early-onset Alzheimer’s. When I think about her, this is the image that comes to mind.
My grandma had lung cancer. My mom whisked her away with us for a family vacation. I was young, but watching the way they interacted was something special. They loved to make each other laugh. Always hugging, always touching. True love. I adored my grandma, and it wrecked my mom when she passed much too soon.
After, she poured all of that love into us. Our friendship was the same way. Lots of laughing, hugging, dancing, and talking. I miss that so, so much.
Now that she’s gone, I try to pour my love into my son, Riley. As he gets older, I know his world is expanding. More friends, less time. But our friendship keeps developing too. These trips to DC are something we share now, just the two of us, fighting for something that matters but also having fun, hanging out, laughing, talking and being together.
I love it. think she’d love it too. 💜
I just walked out of a MARTA station with both open entrances unattended by police or staff. There was one employee (might have been a police officer, not sure) looking at their phone in the corner. Meanwhile, someone was obviously smoking on a platform. This culture of indifference has to change.
After 3 days in DC with over 1,000 Alzheimer’s advocates from all 50 states, I have to say, I am returning home fired up!
The people in this photo, these GA warriors, have all been impacted by Alzheimer’s. They’ve watched their family, friends, co-workers, and themselves fight for treatment, for support, and for each other.
We are building toward something big- a breakthrough for this God awful disease.
We now have a biomarker blood test that will allow for earlier detection, and ultimately, early treatment. We just need Medicare (ASAP Act) to pick up the baton and run with it.
We are asking for funds (AADAPT Act) to train primary care physicians around the nation and in rural areas on how to spot the signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia earlier. It’s common sense.
If you pair those two things with the new drugs that have been developed, thanks to investments at the NIH, you are giving families a true, fighting chance to have more time with the people they love.
Finally, there is HOPE in the air!!
We can’t stop…We won’t stop until we have the first survivor.
Call your reps. Call your senators. Demand they listen and ask for their support. This disease is bipartisan. It does not care who you vote for. It is the most purple issue that exists. ❤️ + 💙= 💜
@RepMcCormick and Houston James, thank you for cosponsoring the #ASAPAct!
We appreciate you meeting with us today and hearing about the AADAPTAct and our request for funding at NIH to keep crucial research for Alzheimer’s and dementia going strong!! 💜
We are here in DC and ready to take action and ask our Reps and Senators to support Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s blood testing.
Early diagnosis = early treatment!
We deserve more time with our loved ones struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia. 💜
Everywhere I go I meet someone affected by Alzheimer’s. Two beautiful ladies at the bar in DC telling me about their family members. I will use my voice in their honor this week at #alzforum 💜