Local support group still trying to raise funds for Alzheimer’s during pandemic

Sadly, other diseases do not take a break just because we are in a pandemic. We need to be vigilant and fight all comers, old and new.

Alzhiemer’s seems to have thrived, touching more people every year. Alzheimer’s has no cure, and while its tentacles ravage the mind and body of the patient, it also causes unbelievable stress for the caregivers. Cruel to the core, Alzheimer’s is a long series of small deaths.

For the past four years our local Alzheimer Support Group has had a “Team Los Banos” participate in the Alzheimer Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Merced. Proudly, for the past four years, Los Banos has been the number one fundraising team. The funds raised each year from these national walks help with much needed research, education, and support.

Sadly, this year COVID-19 has stopped us from having our normal walk so Team Los Banos is now asking for your donations for our fifth year, for a Virtual Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Four local voices will share here why they have been involved with the Alzheimer Walk in the hopes that they may inspire you to send a tax deductible donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Eileen Sorensen, co-founder of the Los Banos Alzheimer Support Group, was the caregiver for her beloved husband Al. Eileen reached out to say, “It is the most devastating low time in your life when you have to contend with a loved one’s Alzheimer’s. It is just overwhelming. How can someone understand who has not been touched? It almost destroys you. Please forgive me but I think now that I was happy when Al died from breathing problems and did not have to continue to sink deeper. I am sincerely sorry for those who must confront it now. I just hope we can find the resources to get something figured out soon to end this nightmare disease.”

Linda Kujawa is the secretary and cheerleader of the support group. Linda watched her mother disappear into the disease, and like all members of the group, she was forever changed by the experience. Kujawa says that it motivated her to fight: ”What we all are trying to do is raise funds to find a cure, and in the meantime, slow it down. Find ways to cope with its attack. I had to watch my mother disappear over six years. I lost my mother twice. First when she no longer knew who I was, and then when she died. It is very difficult to do it more than once.”

Cindy Jordge is this year’s team captain. She says: ” I became involved with the support group when my mother developed Alzheimers. I didn’t know anything about the disease. It was frightening. Years ago I saw the support group advertised and I thought I would check it out. This group helped me so much. It helped my family. I have met so many caregivers over the years and I recognize how overwhelmed they are. I am motivated to reach out to them because I understand what they are gouging through. I try to share what I have learned, hoping it may help. I am trying to help raise money because we have to keep fighting.”

It was 28 years ago that my own mother died. I’d lost her to Alzheimer’s years before that. I’d lost her one memory, one ability at a time. I watched as my once articulate, well groomed, charming mother descended into helplessness. Alzheimers takes everything; memory, speech, ability to eat, and eventually to swallow... Fortunately most patients don’t go through the whole ride’. As a caregiver, you become the constant protector, nurse and advocate, and your days seem 28 hours long.

When Eileen and I formed the Los Banos support group about 26 years ago we only knew we wanted to reach out and help. We have survived as a group because people continue to have Alzheimers and caregivers continue to need our help. When Linda Kujawa and I formed our first team for the Alzheimer’s Walk we saw it as a way to help raise funds. Our hope is that maybe one day there will no longer be a need for the support group. However, until Alzheimer’s disease is eradicated our support group continues and we will continue to raise funds for the Walk.

Please send your check, made out to the Alzheimer’s Association, to either LInda Kijawa at 2241 Imperial Drive or Cindy Jordge at 17964 Charleston Road.

Due to COVID our support group cannot hold its regular monthly meetings at the Waffle House on the third Wednesday of the month, but I am here to listen at 209- 826-0874. We care for you who need to care for others