Alzheimer's Stole My Mom's Memories, and Mine Are Next

Daisy Duarte is a patient Advocate for LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's Network. Daisy calls on lawmakers to make Alzheimer's research funding a national priority in this story, which appeared in the Kansas City Star.

In Grace's Honor

This piece originally appeared on Huffington Post. - Trish My mother, Bea Lerner, was a powerhouse. Politics was her passion. Back in 1960, John F. Kennedy credited her with winning New Jersey -- a pivotal state -- for his election. As a result, she earned a spot on Nixon's infamous "Enemies List." She wore this badge proudly. In 1987 my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I was sure she could beat it. After all, she won every battle she ever fought...but she was no match for Alzheimer's. No one is. In 1992, this valiant lioness of a woman finally disappeared

A Lesson From Those With Physical Disabilities

This post originally appeared on Huffington Post. - Trish Recently, well-known Alzheimer's advocate and 12-year early onset Alzheimer's sufferer, Michael Ellenbogen, shared his frustration about the lack of pace in the fight against Alzheimer's in written testimony to the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services (HHS). Was a mass shooting similar to Columbine necessary to draw more attention to Alzheimer's? he asked. "I would never do that ... I am trying to get your attention and I am failing and dying at the same time." At this point HHS security deemed Mr. Ellenbogen a threat and banned him from

Reflections on Facilitating Alzheimer's Support Groups

Rev. Dr. Richard Morgan is a founder of the UsAgainstAlzheimer's Clergy Network, the author of the upcoming Leader's Guide for Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers, and works in pastoral care for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. - Trish Our Alzheimer’s Support Group will celebrate its seventh anniversary in December. It is time to stand back and reflect on this much-needed support for caregivers. The group is under the auspices of the Alzheimer’s Association of Pittsburgh. It meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the chapel of Redstone Highlands

Why women should worry about Alzheimer’s

By Jill Lesser and Trish Vradenburg Jill Lesser is president of WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, a network of USAgainstAlzheimer’s. - Trish (CNN) – The plight of Alzheimer’s patients and the challenges for those who care for them are garnering more attention thanks to movies like “ Still Alice” and the steady disclosure of well-known sufferers, like musician Glenn Campbell, model and entrepreneur B. Smith, and Governor Jeb Bush’s mother-in-law. They are all courageous in talking about the disease that robs people of mind and dignity. But one aspect of this debilitating disease is only just beginning to register: Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects women. Early