Cindy Morrison’s career gave her the opportunity to live in many incredible places, including Switzerland and Southern California. Retirement, however, brought her to a quieter life in the Tar Heel state to be closer to her dad, Ed. Her mother, Nancy had passed away after living with Alzheimer’s for 13 years, with her dad serving as her primary caregiver. Cindy bought a farm in Guilford County and she and her three horses are now enjoying the tranquility of the piedmont area and being close to her father. Together, they participate in Walk to End Alzheimer’s to honor his wife – her mother – and hope that in time, Alzheimer’s won’t have nearly the devastating impact it has on families today.
Nancy’s diagnosis at 72 was a harsh reality, especially since her mother and brother had also succumbed to the disease. Before her diagnosis, she found herself frequently confused and feared that she too had Alzheimer’s. What they found instead was lung cancer. After one surgery, she was cancer-free, but also suffered from osteoporosis and had to endure multiple surgeries to treat his fractures and hip replacements. Nancy’s confusion and forgetfulness worsened and eventually led to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which had progressed following her multiple surgeries.
While Nancy was adamant about not becoming a burden to anyone, Ed was unwavering in his commitment to care for his wife through all the stages. Their five adult-children, who lived in five different states across the U.S., were also committed to helping, even through the distance. During her Alzheimer’s journey, Nancy would become wheelchair bound and would experience changes in her personality, but the family continued to step in as often as they could to help their dad care for her.
Ed attended an Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group for several years and even received a special caregiver award for his contributions to the group and others. “My dad would stress to anyone on the journey of caring for someone living with any type of dementia to give up having to be right,” said Cindy. “Trying to be right with someone who has cognitive loss is a lose-lose and makes things harder. He used to say, ‘Why do you have to be right anyway?’ It was excellent advice, and he was able to help many others.”
While living in Southern California, Cindy volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association Women’s Initiative and participated in the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s. “I visited my parents as often as I could, but getting involved with the Alzheimer’s Association was another way I could honor my parents and work towards a better future, stated Cindy.”
Her team, aptly named Mom and Dad, serves to not just honor her own parents, grandmother and uncle, but all the families whose lives are impacted by dementia. When Cindy moved to Guilford County, she continued the Walk to End Alzheimer’s tradition. Today, she’s walking the event on October 5 with her dad, her dogs and any family member who can make it.
She’s also a top fundraiser and has been for many years. “Many people don’t like to ask people for money, but you’re not asking for yourself. You are asking people to support a worthy cause, and one that has likely touched them in some way,” advises Cindy. “Personalize the ask – tell them why you are walking and for whom you are walking. This is not a hand-out; it’s a chance to support a future with better outcomes for dementia. You will be surprised by how many people are happy to support the mission and happy that you are raising money for the cause.”
LIKE CINDY, WE ALL HAVE A REASON TO FIGHT FOR A WORLD WITHOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Join your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s today as an individual, team, or sponsor.
The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
| Alamance County | 9/28/2024 |
| Asheville | 10/5/2024 |
| Charlotte | 10/19/2024 |
| Fayetteville | 10/26/2024 |
| Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln | 10/5/2024 |
| Guilford County | 10/5/2024 |
| Henderson County | 9/21/2024 |
| Iredell Co. & Lake Norman | 9/21/2024 |
| Jacksonville | 9/28/2024 |
| Moore County | 9/14/2024 |
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| Unifour | 10/26/2024 |
| Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) | 10/5/2024 |
| Wilmington | 11/2/2024 |
| Winston-Salem | 11/2/2024 |
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