CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Alzheimer’s shows up out of nowhere and flips your whole life upside down. Not just for the person who gets the diagnosis, but for their entire family. In 2023, my mom, Lois, slowly started forgetting the “simple” things. Eventually, it got to a point where my dad took her to the doctor, and that’s when we got the news no one ever wants to hear: Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Within three months of that diagnosis, she declined so quickly that we had to start looking into other care options. By April 2024, she was living in a memory care facility. THREE MONTHS. That’s all it took.

Most people can’t even buy a home start to finish in three months, let alone get hit with devastating news, watch someone you love change completely, figure out how to care for them, come up with the money to do it, and find a care home that fits.

It’s just… too much. And my heart truly goes out to anyone who’s had to go through this. Now that it’s been a little over a year and a half since my mom moved into memory care, I can honestly say that the visits don’t get any easier. The heartache doesn’t go away. But every week, I gather the strength to go see her, because even if she doesn’t fully know who I am, she knows I am someone who loves her. She knows that when she see’s my face that I am the woman who brushes her hair, massages her hands and feet, and smiles while spending time together. Even though her mind and body betrayed her, deep down, her soul knows that I am her safe place.

While my family has been an amazing support system, and we were lucky to find a care facility nearby that fit our budget, I know that not everyone has that. I can’t even begin to imagine walking through this with no help, no emotional support, or without the resources to get the care your loved one needs.

That’s why this year’s non-profit is SO close to my heart. We’re raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter to make sure no one in our community has to go through this without support.

I’ve set a goal to raise $1,600 for the Iowa Chapter by the end of July. Whether you’ve lived through something like this or not, your support truly matters. Let’s come together to make sure no one goes through Alzheimer’s alone!