Paul's Dance with Early Onset Alzheimer's

2 steps forward 4 steps back – Paul’s Early Onset Alzheimer’s Dance…

Hi, my name is Robin Ciccone and I am fundraising for my childhood friends Paul and Kathy Sacchetti. I went to school with Paul from elementary onward and I met Kathy in our teen years when she and Paul married. They are one of those rare teen romances that flourished into a true love story and a marriage that has survived the test of time. But never have they been tested as much as they have with Paul’s diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 61. They have always been a great team and hard workers. Raised a family of 6 children now ages 30-47 and have 15 grandchildren. In their childrens’ younger days, they were the parents and theirs was the home that young people took refuge. A safe haven where all in need were welcome. Both Paul and Kathy took pride in being able to help so many, including their own parents, keeping the strength of family at the forefront of their lives.

Paul had a wonderful profession at Raytheon, but had to retire a bit earlier than expected as the Alzheimer’s quickly progressed. Kathy has worked as an EMT for over 30 years. She carries that take charge energy with her in a very calming and nurturing way. Instinctively knows how to handle challenging situations while making others feel safe and reassured. Kathy, a woman warrior, stands tall in her beliefs, and goes out of her way to help everyone that she can. For example, in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and face masks were nowhere to be found, it was Kathy who orchestrated a reusable mask (Covid covers) for first responders sewing committee, incorporating her family and close friends to make homemade masks for first responders so they could have some form of protection from this new virus. This is just one of the many acts of kindness from Kathy. So, when Paul’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis became a reality, Kathy fearlessly took on that challenge on behalf of the love of her life. She proactively worked with his doctors, she got him into research studies and farmed homeopathic meds in search of that promise to cure, heal or delay this tragic disease. For well over 6 years Kathy and Paul have been tasked with this complicated dance. For many years she was doing this and still working full time as well as her other acts of kindness. But as Paul’s Alzheimer’s progressed, Kathy has found that she needs to be home with him and has become his full-time caregiver. In a conversation I had with her recently, she shared that she never thought they would be in a position to need help….. This is something they do for others... She said she felt upset as they have worked so hard to prepare and save for the future so that they would always be in a position to help the people around them. That she and Paul had so many conversations about what they would do for the kids and grandkids and now with savings and 401k’s depleted, it’s just a matter of “how do we get thru the day, the week, or the month…”

Our goal is to raise $20,000 to help relieve the stress of monthly household expenses such as the mortgage and to assist Kathy with Paul’s home care.

I am asking any and everyone who knows the family, who knows me, who has ever been a caregiver to, or knows or has/had a family member with Alzheimer’s, anyone who works in this field, who has been a first responder, or has a beautiful love story of their own, or is a doer of acts of kindness, Everybody, to please consider a donation no matter the amount. A donation of any kind, will be graciously, and gratefully appreciated. For those who are uncomfortable to donate on line, please reach out to me through this page. Paul and Kathy have done so much for so many let’s return their kindness. During this season of giving let’s make this dance a little easier for Paul and Kathy.

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