ALZ Together on the Brightside
Donation protected
Our Story
In April of 2018, my husband, Jeff Craddock was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 51. We were devastated, afraid for the financial security of our young family and overwhelmed with the fear and hopelessness that accompanies news of this disease. We had to make a choice to survive.
Instead of focusing on what this disease would steal from us, we chose to live our lives together with greater appreciation, purpose and commitment. The campaign photo is from our vow renewal ceremony in June 2018 and it marks the beginning of our new life together.
Our Dream Adventure and Purpose
In the spirit of purposeful living, we evaluated our live-list and folded a few into one, big dream adventure. We bought a school bus to become our tiny home on wheels while tour our must-see National Parks! We've always wanted to share this experience with our children and must to do as soon as possible, while Jeff can fully participate in the adventure.
We believe our experience with this disease must be bigger than ourselves and want to help inform, inspire and support others on their journey. While traveling on our purple bus, named Brightside, we hope to increase awareness of the incredible resources available through the Alzheimer’s Association for those living with, their care partners and families.
We affectionately refer to our adventure as being "Alz Together on Brightside".
But why a bus?? Besides the nostalgia, we needed to create a consistent environment for Jeff with a brand new interior and finishings, customized to meet our needs and preferences, all on a modest budget. That’s a Skoolie! Besides, a purple school bus is an attention grabber, which helps our awareness mission. You can’t miss it!
With a leap of faith, we fully committed ourselves and all our savings. With it, we were able to purchase our bus and begin the conversion process with Skoolie Homes , a professional bus conversion company in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Skoolie Homes has been so supportive of our dream adventure and purpose, offering suggestions to reduce costs, even donated labor and materials to our project, but a balance remains. To complete the build and begin travel by late June, we need to raise the balance by mid-April.
The Campaign
The funds raised in this campaign will go towards finishing the Brightside Bus so we can make Jeff’s memory-making wish come true this summer. And upon our return, the funds will offer much needed security as we prepare for the medical and financial uncertainties on the long road ahead with Alzheimer’s.
We greatly appreciate you donating to our campaign, as you are able. Click the tab above or follow the link to our PayPal Money Pool.
Also, please consider sharing our campaign with others in your personal and professional networks in support.
And please, join us for adventure updates by following us @brightside.bus.
We are
Alz Together on the Brightside.
With deepest appreciation,
Elissa, Jeff, Julia, Nicole, and Davis
In April of 2018, my husband, Jeff Craddock was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 51. We were devastated, afraid for the financial security of our young family and overwhelmed with the fear and hopelessness that accompanies news of this disease. We had to make a choice to survive.
Instead of focusing on what this disease would steal from us, we chose to live our lives together with greater appreciation, purpose and commitment. The campaign photo is from our vow renewal ceremony in June 2018 and it marks the beginning of our new life together.
Our Dream Adventure and Purpose
In the spirit of purposeful living, we evaluated our live-list and folded a few into one, big dream adventure. We bought a school bus to become our tiny home on wheels while tour our must-see National Parks! We've always wanted to share this experience with our children and must to do as soon as possible, while Jeff can fully participate in the adventure.
We believe our experience with this disease must be bigger than ourselves and want to help inform, inspire and support others on their journey. While traveling on our purple bus, named Brightside, we hope to increase awareness of the incredible resources available through the Alzheimer’s Association for those living with, their care partners and families.
We affectionately refer to our adventure as being "Alz Together on Brightside".
But why a bus?? Besides the nostalgia, we needed to create a consistent environment for Jeff with a brand new interior and finishings, customized to meet our needs and preferences, all on a modest budget. That’s a Skoolie! Besides, a purple school bus is an attention grabber, which helps our awareness mission. You can’t miss it!
With a leap of faith, we fully committed ourselves and all our savings. With it, we were able to purchase our bus and begin the conversion process with Skoolie Homes , a professional bus conversion company in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Skoolie Homes has been so supportive of our dream adventure and purpose, offering suggestions to reduce costs, even donated labor and materials to our project, but a balance remains. To complete the build and begin travel by late June, we need to raise the balance by mid-April.
The Campaign
The funds raised in this campaign will go towards finishing the Brightside Bus so we can make Jeff’s memory-making wish come true this summer. And upon our return, the funds will offer much needed security as we prepare for the medical and financial uncertainties on the long road ahead with Alzheimer’s.
We greatly appreciate you donating to our campaign, as you are able. Click the tab above or follow the link to our PayPal Money Pool.
Also, please consider sharing our campaign with others in your personal and professional networks in support.
And please, join us for adventure updates by following us @brightside.bus.
We are
Alz Together on the Brightside.
With deepest appreciation,
Elissa, Jeff, Julia, Nicole, and Davis
Fundraising team (3)
Elissa Carreras
Organizer
Medford, MA
Karen Craddock
Team member
Lydia Crotty Gay
Team member
