The Alzheimer's Association, Memory Walk, and I need your help!

Hi all.

As I was going around my local RL community today setting up donation cans for contributions in preparation for Memory Walk 2006, I started thinking about how much the Second Life community got involved in this years Relay for Life charity event. This was a wonderful event, and I donated as much as I could to the cause.

I'm posting this message because I have decided to set up a donation receptacle at my store location in second life. I have also decided that all the proceeds from sales of my products from now until the 10th of October 2006 will also go to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and Memory Walk 2006.

To give a little background on this terrible disease for those who may not know, I offer you this:

Alzheimer's Disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. 4.5 Million people in the U.S. suffer from this disease and that number is expected to grow drastically to 16 million by 2050. Alzheimer's Disease usually strikes those 65 years of age or older. However, 6-8 percent of those people living with Alzheimer's today, or 300,000 individuals, have whats called early onset Alzheimer's Disease. This form of the disease can strike people as early as age 30! Life expectancy for this disease varies from around two to twenty years, as this disease does not work alone. It causes other illnesses in the body such as but not limited to:dementia, depression and pneumonia. But on average people are able to live for 8-10 years from diagnosis.

This disease has proven to run in families, which means that if your grandparents or parents have suffered or will suffer from it, there is a greater chance that you or your children will.

On a personal note, this cause is very close to my heart.

My grandfather and grandmother suffered from this disease. My grandfather was diagnosed a few months prior to his and my grandmother's 50th wedding anniversary. He had dipped into a major state of depression, and we could not figure out why. My grandfather was always smiling and always a great person to be around. It seemed like over night that had all changed. We convinced him to go see a doctor, and thats when we found out. My grandfather, always so insistant on the power of knowledge and proud in his wisdom refused to accept that his mind would slowly defy him. He went into a deeper depression after receiving this news. He was placed on the medication Aricept, which other than turn him into a zombie, didnt help much. He spent most of his 50th anniversary party as exactly that.. a zombie.

Through the next years his illness because worse and worse. He started doing off the wall things such as washing his gardening shovel in the washing machine. Hiding his wallet, from this mysterious woman his mind invented who he truly believed was out to steal all his money, though she didnt really exist. But of course, he could never remember where he had hid the wallet, so we spent a great deal of time finding things for him that he had hidden. Eventally his illness progressed to the point where he didnt even remember his own wife who he had lived with and loved for 50+ years. He did not remember any of his 4 children, nor any of his 5 grandchildren who he spent every weekend with since we all were born.

One of the most horrible things about this disease is that it gives you false hope. People with this disease have glimmers of their true selves that come out every so often. Here and there it was like my Pap would "wake up" and be who he was before he developed it. His awakening was always short-lived tho. We'd start talking to him just like we used to, and know that he remembered, and that he understood what we were saying. Told him we loved him knowing he knew... and seeing the love returned in his eyes.. and hearing it with his words. Soon after any of the breakthroughs, usually minutes, he would revert back to knowing very little again. It was a very hard thing to go through, having to miss him over and over again while he was still alive.

To make a long incredibly sad story short, he lived with the disease for 5 years before it took his life. 2 years later, my grandmother followed in his foot steps. The severe depression she suffered after his death, sped up the progression of the disease in her. I miss them both terribly, but I missed them both long before they died.

I'm sure that others in the SL community have had or do have a member of their family that is suffering from this disease. I can only hope that other people in SL are willing to lend a helping hand with this effort, because I am just one person.

So if anyone is interested in donating they can do so in the donation room in my shop "Sinsation" where I sell hair and clothing, or they can make purchases of my products to donate as well.

Also if anyone is interested in setting up a donation device on their land I'd be more than happy to accept the help. This is a really worthy cause, and these foundations have helped to earn over 200 million dollars to help find a cure for Alzheimer's and to aid those with Alzheimer's last year alone.

Anywho, thank you all very much for listening, and if you have any questions or would like to help out pls IM me in game or here.

Thanks again!
-Sinnocent Mirabeau

My mother has been diagnosed with suspected altzheimers, and is still in early stages. I say suspected altzheimers, since there is no current definitive test they can do before autopsy. It's been about a year since we started noticing the changes and about 9 months since we got her to talk to a doctor about it. It's been difficult looking down that future path that I know is laid out for us.

I really wish my timing had been better for RFL, I was out of town/touch much of July, but would be interested in doing something to help the Memory walk here in SL. It's something that's been crossing my mind for a few weeks, but I was afraid that it was too soon for most people after the RFL. I'd like to try and get together with some RFL folks and discuss how they dealt with things.

I was willing to (but never got to do) a benefit concert for RFL. I hope to make good on that next year, but in the mean time, I for one would be happy to do a benefit show for the memory walk, and I may have some friends that would be willing to throw in as well... <nudge>my musician and organizer friends</nudge>

Aww, I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom, some folks handle the disease much better than others tho. Can only hope that your mom is one of those people

I would totally appreciate the help. Thats why I had waited to bring this up. I realize it is soon after the RFL, but other people out there need help too! And time is just as important in the battle against Alzheimer's.

The fact is that these people do need help, as you said the screening process isnt the best it could be. We need improved detection devices, better medicines, and help for those with the disease. Medication is very expensive, and for folks on medicare is barely impossible to get.

I work for a mail order pharmacy in rl, I get tons of calls from seniors with Alzheimer's pleading with me to set them up on a payment program so that they can scrap together the cash through local church groups to get their medications. Its very depressing. Luckily the company I work for cares enough to grant these patients extensions on their payments, otherwise I dont know how they would cope.

So thank you again for offering to help, and sure I'd appreciate any help with planning and ideas.

My Grandmother has Alzheimers, and is currently on her death bed, the doctors say she won't be around in a few weeks. Death is the best thing for the patient and the family in my opinion. Anyway, I think this is wonderful, and will help out all I can!