Stampin' Out Alzheimer's

Some of you may know that my Nana had Alzheimer's. We dealt with this horrible disease for over 15 years as it slowly stole her away from us. It started with a small amount of confusion and led us to a place where she didn't even know who we were. She never knew my children. I was able to take Jodi to see her once, but she never actually opened her eyes and saw her. This is a terrible disease. It is debilitating to the patient as well as to the family. The toll it takes on the family is often greater than the toll that it takes on the patient. The patient has no knowledge of what is going on so they don't feel the pain or miss the memories like we do. Nana was so lost in her Alzheimer's that she wasn't even really aware when Papa passed away. We were fortunate to be able to have them both in the same nursing home. Papa ate with Nana every day. Even in his last days they were together. They were married over 50 years and he cared for her at home until it wasn't safe for him to do so anymore. It wasn't long before he joined her in the nursing home. She outlived him by several years. She was like a baby in those last years, unable to talk, walk or do anything for herself. This disease is a regression through all the stages you go through as a child. It is something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

This week there is an event going on called Stampin' Out Alzheimer's. It is an online paper crafting event that is designed to bring awareness to Alzheimer's, raise money for research, and to bring all of us together that have been touched by Alzheimer's. This event is my focus for my projects this week. I look forward to sharing them with all of you.

For more information on this event you can check out their website at www.stampinoutalzheimers.ning.com