Remember Me?
Alzheimer's Through the Eyes of a Child.
My story is simple, and it starts here... a girl, a dream, and a passion. A dream that has turned into the passion to make a difference about a disease that has changed my life in so many ways. I've been told by many people that getting children and teens to relate to Alzheimer's disease is nearly impossible. But determination is more powerful than doubt.
Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain. It attacks the brain cells and causes memory loss, behavioral problems, and thinking problems. Your brain literally shrinks in size. Not only does your personality change, but your mood changes too. Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in America, and has no cure or any form of prevention. Over 5.4 million America's have Alzheimer's, and my Dad is one of them.
My Dad is not just another statistic, though. He's my Dad, and although it can be frustrating at times, I am doing everything I can to help him and many other children and young adults in my position. I am in the unique position with a father that has Alzheimer's, but each and every one of us can relate to losing someone we love and dealing with grief. People as young as 30 years old can develop Alzheimer's, it's scary but it's true, and I want to be the one to change this number.
Since my father has been diagnosed, I have stayed involved with the Alzheimer's cause. I've found that speaking and educating others has not only helped the people who are affected by Alzheimer's, but also myself. Going out in my community has been like a "mini support group" for me. It has helped me realize that I'm not alone, and that there are others out there who are going through the exact same thing that I am. That is what drives me to keep going each and every day, even when I feel like giving up.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's is one of the most rewarding things I do every year. It not only raises funds that stay directly in Minnesota, but also awareness. Through this I've been able to raise over $22,000 for Alzheimer's in the past 4 years that it has been going on. My Mom and I are also on the planning committee and it has been great to see how much it has grown since the first one in 2009.
The Alzheimer's Association has been really helpful in everything that I have been doing, whether it is giving me brochures to pass out or just someone to talk to. I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life supporting me through everything I am doing. I was the Alzheimer's Champion of the Year 2010 for the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter! It is truly AMAZING to see my work being recognized and I wish I had time to thank everyone who has helped me along this journey.
I have also created an education program in which I have taken into many schools in my community and state. Through this program, that is personalized for 1st through 8th grade, children get a grip on the Alzheimer's disease. To 1st and 2nd graders, I keep it basic. Simple, so they don't get to confused, yet in depth enough so they can remember it. It is truly incredible to see how much they learn, and how great their questions are! To the 3rd-8th graders I teach basics, share some facts, and get them involved in the fight to end Alzheimer's. I don't think they understand that even at a young age, you can make a huge difference in the life of just one person.
Along with speaking to elementary and middle school children, I have spoken to students at high schools and colleges. It is so important that awareness is brought to Alzheimer's and related dementia's, because half of America's population knows someone who has Alzheimer's. High school and college aged students are the future. They are the ones who are going to grow up to be the doctors, lawyers, nurses, or social workers that are going to have to deal with Alzheimer's. Early education in instrumental in understanding the complicated world of Alzheimer's.
"The greatest fear, is fear itself". Although I do not know when my Dad will fully lose his memory, and I do know this; I will NOT stop fighting for a cure for Alzheimer's until there is one. When there is one, I will not stop raising awareness until the word "dementia" is no longer in our vocabulary. I will fight for all of those who currently suffer from Alzheimer's. I am the voice for millions of Alzheimer's patients that don't have one, and you can be too. Together we can end Alzheimer's.
With much gratitude,
Bailey Wachholz
Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain. It attacks the brain cells and causes memory loss, behavioral problems, and thinking problems. Your brain literally shrinks in size. Not only does your personality change, but your mood changes too. Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in America, and has no cure or any form of prevention. Over 5.4 million America's have Alzheimer's, and my Dad is one of them.
My Dad is not just another statistic, though. He's my Dad, and although it can be frustrating at times, I am doing everything I can to help him and many other children and young adults in my position. I am in the unique position with a father that has Alzheimer's, but each and every one of us can relate to losing someone we love and dealing with grief. People as young as 30 years old can develop Alzheimer's, it's scary but it's true, and I want to be the one to change this number.
Since my father has been diagnosed, I have stayed involved with the Alzheimer's cause. I've found that speaking and educating others has not only helped the people who are affected by Alzheimer's, but also myself. Going out in my community has been like a "mini support group" for me. It has helped me realize that I'm not alone, and that there are others out there who are going through the exact same thing that I am. That is what drives me to keep going each and every day, even when I feel like giving up.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's is one of the most rewarding things I do every year. It not only raises funds that stay directly in Minnesota, but also awareness. Through this I've been able to raise over $22,000 for Alzheimer's in the past 4 years that it has been going on. My Mom and I are also on the planning committee and it has been great to see how much it has grown since the first one in 2009.
The Alzheimer's Association has been really helpful in everything that I have been doing, whether it is giving me brochures to pass out or just someone to talk to. I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life supporting me through everything I am doing. I was the Alzheimer's Champion of the Year 2010 for the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter! It is truly AMAZING to see my work being recognized and I wish I had time to thank everyone who has helped me along this journey.
I have also created an education program in which I have taken into many schools in my community and state. Through this program, that is personalized for 1st through 8th grade, children get a grip on the Alzheimer's disease. To 1st and 2nd graders, I keep it basic. Simple, so they don't get to confused, yet in depth enough so they can remember it. It is truly incredible to see how much they learn, and how great their questions are! To the 3rd-8th graders I teach basics, share some facts, and get them involved in the fight to end Alzheimer's. I don't think they understand that even at a young age, you can make a huge difference in the life of just one person.
Along with speaking to elementary and middle school children, I have spoken to students at high schools and colleges. It is so important that awareness is brought to Alzheimer's and related dementia's, because half of America's population knows someone who has Alzheimer's. High school and college aged students are the future. They are the ones who are going to grow up to be the doctors, lawyers, nurses, or social workers that are going to have to deal with Alzheimer's. Early education in instrumental in understanding the complicated world of Alzheimer's.
"The greatest fear, is fear itself". Although I do not know when my Dad will fully lose his memory, and I do know this; I will NOT stop fighting for a cure for Alzheimer's until there is one. When there is one, I will not stop raising awareness until the word "dementia" is no longer in our vocabulary. I will fight for all of those who currently suffer from Alzheimer's. I am the voice for millions of Alzheimer's patients that don't have one, and you can be too. Together we can end Alzheimer's.
With much gratitude,
Bailey Wachholz
So I guess you could say that my platform is my reality.. :)
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