A Face to Forget

One day this face will not know who he is, where he is, or have any memory of what he has accomplished in life.

Alzheimer's Disease

AD will affect me. Whether or not I directly suffer from it one day, AD will play a large role in my life. The people I care about will suffer and at this moment there is no cure for it. It not only contaminates an individuals life, but also the people who love and care for that person. AD is not fun; but you don't have to take my word for it....


"I work as a caregiver specifically with people who have alzheimers and dementia and its quite sad. I see the beginning to the last stages. Nobody understands what the disease is like unless they know or are related to and know someone with the disease. it has taught me to appreciate my loved one because u never know if ur family could be next."

"My father is in the later stages and I too hope for a cure one day. It may be too late for him and it is awful and devastating but I hope not to have the same future or pass it along to my own children."

"Heartbreaking is the best word to describe this disease. To watch my mother deteriorate in such a short time is killing me."

"I can only hope and pray that there will one day be a cure or treatment that works effectively. My mother has Alzheimer's and I hate that have to watch her become a fragile shell of the strong independent woman she once was. I cry inside every day for her. And there is a gnawing coil of fear in the pit of my stomach, that I may one day share her fate."

"For the past several weeks, I've been on a search to help find assisted living for my best friend of 50+ yrs who has early onset Alzheimer's. She's 59 and has had it for probably 10 yrs. Once a newscaster, now she can't string 4 words together or get herself dressed. If there can be an "even worse", it's that many of the assisted living homes only take people 60 or 62 yrs and older. Talk about the proverbial rock and a hard place. And my friend's daughter, who's only 28 and newly married, is worried that she may too suffer from Alzheimer's in the future. I don't have enough words to express how devastating this disease is!!"




Because AD cannot be cured and is degenerative, management of patients is essential. The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the spouse or a close relative. Alzheimer's disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers; the pressures can be wide-ranging, involving social, psychological, physical, and economic elements of the caregiver's life. In developed countries, AD is one of the most costly diseases to society.


I know that I have to be the change I want to see. I have to push on living without fear, but I must prepare myself for the hurdles that will come up in life from AD. I am strong and I surround myself with strong people. Together we will live life to the fullest; we will sing from the highest mountain tops; we will keep on the sunny side.

Step 1? Italy.