Alzheimer's Activists Inspire Hope
Posted by Radiance PVL on Wed, May 11, 2011 @ 08:30 PM
The news this week that we lost Walt Kline, an activist in the Alzheimer's community, created a moment of reflection for the passing of an individual highly involved in the community of people and professionals touched by the disease.
As WalesOnline.co.uk reminds us, Alzheimer's will make you laugh and cry, and in the case, of Kline, we feel the tears, but laugh with joy at his efforts to inspire in the face of the disease.
Kline's story is one of inspiration, as the former IBM employee spent much time after his diagnosis being mentally and physically active, looking out for children in a Cary day care center and making television and radio appearances.
He also spoke at events such as Candlelight Reflections in honor of people who have dementia or had died from it.
We think there are many more stories such as these, and in some way they mirror the events taking place every day at our communities, in the hallways, gathering spots, and especially in the memory impairment care facilities where the disease is fought with love and compassion, day by day.
With headlines telling us this week that every 69 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's disease, we suppose looking for positive stories is probably going to be a growing trend in the near future. Because as blogger, Dr. John Zeisel, reminds us, an Alzheimer's diagnosis isn't the end.
So, while we will watch for the updates on progress for Alzheimer's treatments in the headlines, and acknowledge that such news brings hopes to millions dealing with the disease, we also recognize that until the time comes when the tide turns medically, we have to find the Walt Klines in our midst and encourage them, while feeding off their encouragement to face the challenges ahead of us tomorrow.
