This year, for the first time, I participated in The Walk to End Alzheimer's sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association: Greater East Ohio Area Chapter.
As I walked today with a friend who asked me to join her team, we talked about our journey. Both of us agreed that it was difficult to keep our heads above water while seeking to make the best decisions on behalf of the people who were our moral compass for our entire lives. But in the years since our parents' passing, the experience has never left us. Now we can focus on offering support to those going through the journey.
In a sea of hundreds of other people wearing purple, we carried flowers. Purple signified the loss of a loved one, yellow designated current caregivers, supporters of the cause carried orange, and most importantly blue indicated people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. Little children, teens, adults, boomers and elderly, as well as a few canines walked. Most touching to me was the little girl who skipped in purple shoes, and a woman my own age who pushed her tiny withered mother the entire way in a wheel chair. Whenever this lady encountered rough terrain, or cement steps, strapping teenage boys helped lift her mother's chair.
This event demonstrated the best in a community coming together for a good cause and multi-generational caring. I hope to participate every year. Thank you Alzheimer's Association for making an outreach like this possible.
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