DOREID's ALZHEIMER'S PAGES

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

When you walk through a storm

Hold your chin up high

And don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of the storm

There's a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of the lark.

Walk on, through the wind

Walk on, through the rain

Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, walk on,with hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone.

OUR ALZHEIMER'S PAGES ARE INSPIRED THROUGH OUR OWN EXPERIENCES WITH THIS CRUEL AND DEVASTATING DISEASE . WE FEEL THE SONG, "YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE", COULD NOT BE MORE APPROPRIATE WHEN TRYING TO DESCRIBE THE EMOTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DISEASE.

INTRODUCTION

.....Alzheimer's Disease (AD) was named for its discoverer, Alois Alzheimer. In 1907 he reported on his observations of the brain of a middle aged woman who had died after experiencing progressive memory loss and a severe decline in her general mental functioning for a period of approximately four years. He observed that the brain had become small and shriveled and had suffered a great loss of neurons. The brain also had what appeared to be tangles of barbed wire and smudge like bodies that Alois Alzheimer named senile plaques. These two abnormalities have become the official pathological markers of the disease.

.....The disease begins as a gradual loss of memory and gets progressively worse until the patient loses control over practically all of the body functions. This progression rate varies from individual to individual and can be slowed to a degree by modern medication. We are sad to say however, that no cure for AD has been found as of this date.

PURPOSE

.....The purpose of these pages is to attempt to convey our personal knowledge and feelings as related to Alzheimer's Disease. We will also attempt to provide links to various sources of Alzheimer's information which we hope will be of benefit to anyone who needs this information.

.....We realize there are many who, for one reason or another, are unable to care for their loved one at home. To these people we say, "DO NOT FEEL GUILTY". Had it not been for receiving help through the Community Alternatives Program (C.A.P.), we would not have been able to keep our loved one at home as long as we have.

.....To those of you who are considering keeping your special person at home, we hope these pages might give you some insight into the tough times ahead of you. Our thoughts and our prayers will be with you. You may find comfort in this POEM

Reid and Dorothy S. Craig