Ride for Ray
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Ride for Ray
Our dear friend Ray Wells has been diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, and we are asking for your help.
Please take a moment to read this post and make a donation. We are raising $250,000 for Ray’s long term care, the burden of which will fall on May Gonzalez, his fiancee, and their friends and family.
Though young onset Alzheimer's (before age 65) is essentially the same disease as later onset, typically seen in older people, it has a tendency to be more fierce and aggressive. It has been studied, and research points to the fact that younger, highly educated, intelligent people have strong connections in their brains, and a greater amount of cognitive reserve. So, when the disease begins its course, these more fit brains tend to work around the deficiencies, hiding the effects of the advancing disease. Eventually the burden of the disease becomes more widespread, and by the time the symptoms present themselves, the disease is advanced.
Ray's case seems to agree with this description. He was perfectly fine, except for some random "senior moments" over the past couple of years, seemingly harmless, mid-50s kind of lapses, that we all experience. Then just before Christmas last year, over a course of a few weeks, Ray just seemed to walk off the edge of a cliff, mentally-speaking. He suddenly couldn't do the grocery shopping, make a common phone call, operate his iPhone, do his routine household tasks, he made some strange personal financial decisions, and got confused coming home on a route he has known for 30 years. He was taken to the doctor, and it was evident on that first neurological appointment, where he failed a 10 minute mini-cognitive test. It was clear that this was no mid-50's "senior moment". While he struggled to draw a clock, and came up with an incredibly creative design, the neurologist went stone-faced, and with saddened eyes, she said, "I am so sorry". Subsequent blood test, MRI, and lumbar puncture, all served to prove what was suspected on that first visit, that Ray very conclusively has Alzheimer’s Disease, and it is pretty well established, mid-stage.
Ray cannot drive. He has highly impaired executive function, which means his reasoning, planning and sequencing is compromised, and he cannot retain new information, nor can he do many things that involve multiple tasks (grocery shopping, cooking, or most simple household tasks). He cannot be left home alone. He is tired. But he is always smiling, always happy, and so very grateful for the good life he has lived, and continues to live, surrounded by so many loving friends.
Ray is still very happy, healthy and fit. He is totally aware of the fact that he has the disease, but he is not totally aware of the symptoms he is already experiencing. Luckily for Ray, his strongest skill sets remain in tact; his verbal fluency, his desire to be around and interact with people, and his sense of humor. He still communicates and presents well. He is still playing tennis competitively and is physically fit. For now, he is still working alongside May!
Ray’s family and friends are devastated by the reality of these circumstances. Long term care, not covered by insurance, will quickly amount to over $100,000 annually. All plans for a continued career in real estate, family trips and vacations, and a simple but comfortable retirement have now vanished for Ray and May.
Your phone calls, emails, friendship, time and support are greatly appreciated.
Please take a moment to visit www.gofund.me/Ride4Ray and make a donation today!
Our dear friend Ray Wells has been diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, and we are asking for your help.
Please take a moment to read this post and make a donation. We are raising $250,000 for Ray’s long term care, the burden of which will fall on May Gonzalez, his fiancee, and their friends and family.
Though young onset Alzheimer's (before age 65) is essentially the same disease as later onset, typically seen in older people, it has a tendency to be more fierce and aggressive. It has been studied, and research points to the fact that younger, highly educated, intelligent people have strong connections in their brains, and a greater amount of cognitive reserve. So, when the disease begins its course, these more fit brains tend to work around the deficiencies, hiding the effects of the advancing disease. Eventually the burden of the disease becomes more widespread, and by the time the symptoms present themselves, the disease is advanced.
Ray's case seems to agree with this description. He was perfectly fine, except for some random "senior moments" over the past couple of years, seemingly harmless, mid-50s kind of lapses, that we all experience. Then just before Christmas last year, over a course of a few weeks, Ray just seemed to walk off the edge of a cliff, mentally-speaking. He suddenly couldn't do the grocery shopping, make a common phone call, operate his iPhone, do his routine household tasks, he made some strange personal financial decisions, and got confused coming home on a route he has known for 30 years. He was taken to the doctor, and it was evident on that first neurological appointment, where he failed a 10 minute mini-cognitive test. It was clear that this was no mid-50's "senior moment". While he struggled to draw a clock, and came up with an incredibly creative design, the neurologist went stone-faced, and with saddened eyes, she said, "I am so sorry". Subsequent blood test, MRI, and lumbar puncture, all served to prove what was suspected on that first visit, that Ray very conclusively has Alzheimer’s Disease, and it is pretty well established, mid-stage.
Ray cannot drive. He has highly impaired executive function, which means his reasoning, planning and sequencing is compromised, and he cannot retain new information, nor can he do many things that involve multiple tasks (grocery shopping, cooking, or most simple household tasks). He cannot be left home alone. He is tired. But he is always smiling, always happy, and so very grateful for the good life he has lived, and continues to live, surrounded by so many loving friends.
Ray is still very happy, healthy and fit. He is totally aware of the fact that he has the disease, but he is not totally aware of the symptoms he is already experiencing. Luckily for Ray, his strongest skill sets remain in tact; his verbal fluency, his desire to be around and interact with people, and his sense of humor. He still communicates and presents well. He is still playing tennis competitively and is physically fit. For now, he is still working alongside May!
Ray’s family and friends are devastated by the reality of these circumstances. Long term care, not covered by insurance, will quickly amount to over $100,000 annually. All plans for a continued career in real estate, family trips and vacations, and a simple but comfortable retirement have now vanished for Ray and May.
Your phone calls, emails, friendship, time and support are greatly appreciated.
Please take a moment to visit www.gofund.me/Ride4Ray and make a donation today!
Organizer and beneficiary
May Gonzalez
Organizer
Pasadena, CA
Ray Wells
Beneficiary
