By Sarah Osment Brian Garrison’s parents, Allen and Linda, had lived in his childhood home in Morganton, North Carolina, since he and his brother, Keith, were young. “They were first loves in a faithful marriage of 53 years,” said Brian. His dad was called to serve in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. When […]
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When Janet Long’s mother, Elaine, began showing signs of memory loss, it was easy to chalk it up to aging. Janet’s father was battling cancer so they were preoccupied with his care. Following his passing, they noticed that Elaine’s occasional lapses were turning into more frequent confusion, and she was getting lost on familiar routes. […]
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Lynn lost both her parents to Alzheimer’s disease, leaving only her and her brother, Joe. But just a few years after their mother passed, Joe received the same devastating diagnosis. Once again, Lynn found herself on another Alzheimer’s journey—what she describes as “losing your family before you lose them.” Her commitment to raising funds to […]
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The heartfelt speeches of firsthand stories of caretakers and individuals living with Alzheimer’s. The groups of individuals meeting each other to take pictures, pet a dog outfitted head to tail in purple or walk together along the route. Anyone who has been to a Walk to Alzheimer’s event understands how it brings people from all […]
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When Dr. Veronica Williams reflects on her earliest childhood memories, they are filled with the warmth and wisdom of her maternal grandmother, Rebecca. Growing up in Georgia, Veronica spent countless days at her grandmother’s side, soaking in lessons about farm life, southern traditions, and unconditional love. “As the oldest in my family, I got to […]
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Bobby Eddleman is an only child, raised by parents who lived for him. “No matter what, I was the most important person in the room when it came to my mom’s attention growing up,” he says. His mother, Helen, worked alongside his father as a brick mason, laid bricks herself, and later cared for her […]
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Karen Barnes didn’t always speak openly about the emotional toll of her husband Tim’s diagnosis of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. But today, she shares her story with honesty and strength—because, as she says, “It’s important to acknowledge the reality of this disease.” That reality is complex and painful, but Karen also radiates hope. She lights up when […]
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As Lynn Wenger stood at the Promise Garden Ceremony during the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Iredell Co. & Lake Norman last year, he held a purple flower high—a symbol of someone lost to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. In that moment, he reflected on how he had come to be there, honoring the […]
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Elena Bare first learned about the Alzheimer’s Association in 2022 from a colleague at her job at Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Dobson, N.C. Sadly, this was just two months before her husband passed away from the disease, after living with it for six years. Now, she’s a passionate advocate for raising awareness in rural communities about […]
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What’s your favorite pastime? Golfing, playing pickleball, playing games, cooking, reading, gardening, playing tennis, biking, hiking? There are so many to choose from! Having a hobby or favorite pastime is important not just for enjoyment, exercise, or socializing, but also for your mental health. The same can be said for the endorphin boost you receive when […]
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