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Sunday 6 February 2011

A world without Alzheimer's disease

I almost forgot to honor one of my heroes, Ronald Reagan. Here in Holland there is not much news about this Great President of the USA, our press in Holland seems to forget that the fall of the wall would never have happened without him (and Gorbachev).

A Terrible Disease

The last years of his life, Mr Reagan suffered from Altzheimer's disease, a terrible illness affecting one of the things separating us from animals: our brain.

In one of his last letters to the American nation, he said:

I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease... At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done... I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you.

My Mother

... I am not sure what to say ...
She will be 80 soon and asked for donations to the Dutch Alzheimer support group instead of presents (she already has everything, grand-child nearby and a loving husband taking care of all her needs).

GdP Software will donate all February earnings to the Dutch Alzheimer Stichting. Mom, I love you!

Your Mother?

Please help fight this terrible disease! Support your local Alzheimer support group! For example The American Alzheimer's Association.

4 comments:

Ton. said...

Gert,

We will certainly make a contribution to the Dutch Alzheimer Stichting.

Ton en Pierrette

Dennis said...

Hi Gert,

Recently the doctor discovered that my father-in-law suffers from Alzheimers. It's in a premature stage, and it doesn't show much progression, but there are small signs at which you can see that it's not going well. He's now in the stage of denial and it's very difficult to talk about. My wive is very, very close with him and that's also something that people forget... it also affects the ones around him. I already was donating yearly to the foundation, because at my side of the family it is (some kind of) heridit. So, thumbs up for all those who supports this action.

Annemiek said...

Hi Gert,

It's great you're asking attention for this terrible disease, which is not only awfull for the 'patient', but also for everyone around him/her...

I will most certainly make a contribution tot the Dutch Alzheimer Stichting!

Thank you again for drawing to the attention to this growing problem.

Annemiek

Gert said...

Ome Ton, tante Pierrette, Dennis, zusje...

Great to see other people who care.

@Dennis
You are so right - it is not only the patient herself, but also family and friends who are affected by this disease.

I remember a time, maybe 10 years ago, when Alzheimer's was something I would laugh about (I feel so bad about that now).

Alzheimer is still a big taboo, probably because most people are afraid they might get it.

If more people help funding Alzheimer research, maybe a cure will be found.