A Ride to Remember
Donation protected
I'll bet you know someone with dementia. It takes control of the people you love and together you travel down an unpredictable timeline of benchmarks. You're suddenly flung into researching this disease online, asking friends and family what to do, all the while feeling helpless. But not hopeless, because let's be honest. We all HOPE that those we love do not suffer and that one day there will be a cure.
Richard Steckel, my husband Doug's father, passed away on Christmas Eve in 2010 after his battle with Alzheimer's. He was a spirited actor and loving husband, father and grandfather. Doug was his caretaker for a crucial time in his mother and father's lives. Doug was their rock and today is a voice of support for friends dealing with the Alzheimer's they find in their lives.
Our friend Jim Thorn married Doug and I in 2004. He is one of the smartest people we've ever met, but you'd never know it because of his modesty. His storytelling abilities are legendary and he has lived a life rich in friendships and adventures. He was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's about a year and a half ago. He's 58 years old today and lives in a Senior Living Center in Iowa City. He's easily 20 years younger than the next oldest patient. He's cared for DAILY by two amazing friends named Scott and Margie who take him out to see theater, movies, music, to get ice cream, to go for walks. All of these things so he does not sit around unstimulated, absorbed faster by this disease.
I'm riding my bicycle from Denver, CO back to Chicago this summer. I want to do this for a few reasons; to challenge myself both physically and mentally, to connect with everyone along the way and share our stories about how dementia has touched our lives and to raise money in honor of Jim and in memory of Richard for the Alzheimer's Association. Jim loves cycling and was a chronic RAGBRAI rider in its formative years, but can't ride anymore so I'm riding for him.
I'll be splitting the donations between Jim and the Alzheimer's Association. The money for Jim is to help enrich his life with the care and support he needs right now. Money donated to the Alzheimer's Association will fund care, support and research for others affected by Alzheimer's.
Your donation will help those affected by this horrible disease and make the quality of their life better. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Jim and Richard. I hope you'll please consider donating to help bring an end to Alzheimer's.
Richard Steckel, my husband Doug's father, passed away on Christmas Eve in 2010 after his battle with Alzheimer's. He was a spirited actor and loving husband, father and grandfather. Doug was his caretaker for a crucial time in his mother and father's lives. Doug was their rock and today is a voice of support for friends dealing with the Alzheimer's they find in their lives.
Our friend Jim Thorn married Doug and I in 2004. He is one of the smartest people we've ever met, but you'd never know it because of his modesty. His storytelling abilities are legendary and he has lived a life rich in friendships and adventures. He was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's about a year and a half ago. He's 58 years old today and lives in a Senior Living Center in Iowa City. He's easily 20 years younger than the next oldest patient. He's cared for DAILY by two amazing friends named Scott and Margie who take him out to see theater, movies, music, to get ice cream, to go for walks. All of these things so he does not sit around unstimulated, absorbed faster by this disease.
I'm riding my bicycle from Denver, CO back to Chicago this summer. I want to do this for a few reasons; to challenge myself both physically and mentally, to connect with everyone along the way and share our stories about how dementia has touched our lives and to raise money in honor of Jim and in memory of Richard for the Alzheimer's Association. Jim loves cycling and was a chronic RAGBRAI rider in its formative years, but can't ride anymore so I'm riding for him.
I'll be splitting the donations between Jim and the Alzheimer's Association. The money for Jim is to help enrich his life with the care and support he needs right now. Money donated to the Alzheimer's Association will fund care, support and research for others affected by Alzheimer's.
Your donation will help those affected by this horrible disease and make the quality of their life better. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Jim and Richard. I hope you'll please consider donating to help bring an end to Alzheimer's.
Organizer
Sharon Steckel
Organizer
Skokie, IL