Terrell Owens Grandmother and Alzheimer’s

NFL star, Terrell Owens is grateful of his stardom and attributes fame to his grandmother. Because she raised Terrell, she was the one responsible for his love of the sport.

Alice Black was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease during Terrell’s first NFL season, 14 years ago. Mr. Owens stated, “It’s like she is dying a slow death.” Unfortunately, his grandmother will never know how he has thrived at the sport and  no longer recognizes her grandson.

Terrell spreads awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease by participating in Memory Walks to raise money for reasearch. He has also appeared in several public announcements regarding the disease. Several years ago he testified before Congress to increase  federal funding for research.

At the ago of 76, Alice Black is now residing in a nursing home down south, where her communication skills have diminished .

Terrell wishes very much his grandmother could share his achievements with him and to thank her.

Article by WebMD

An Afro-American Alzheimer Research Study is being conducted at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Keeping Memories Alive. They are looking for participants, click here.

If you would like a loved one honored on our Quilt of Remembrance, in full color print within Just a Cloud Away, Inc. Journal, please click here. We will gladly mail copies to you and your family.

Just a Cloud Away, Inc. Journal

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2011 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease

The end of Alzheimer’s disease starts here. June 11th, 2011

Join the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™ and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. With more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and nearly 11 million more serving as caregivers, the time to act is now!

When you register for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, you’re joining an unstoppable force of thousands of people who are standing up to this devastating disease.

Our journey starts now. It’s easy to join our team:

Register. It takes just a few minutes online.

Start a team. Participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s is even more fun with a group. Ask your co-workers, family and friends to walk as a team. You’ll be amazed at how many people want to help.

Fundraise. Every Walk to End Alzheimer’s participant is asked to raise money for the fight against Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association staff are ready to support you every step of the way with tips, tools and advice.

 

Get Creative. Raise money with our online tools, hold a fundraising event or ask for a donation when you’re face-to-face.

 

Walk! Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a unique experience. See the difference you can make as we walk to change the course of Alzheimer’s together.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, this all age, all-ability walk has mobilized millions to join the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, raising more than $347 million for the cause. Events are held annually in the fall in nearly 600 communities nationwide.

All Walk to End Alzheimer’s donations benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has a two-year research study and needs your help, click here

Suggested foods may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Just a Cloud Away, Inc. ™Journal

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Remember & Honor Those with Alzheimer’s

 Just a Cloud Away Inc. ™ Journal will be presenting a brief talk on the various ways art is incorporated into the healing process, for Caregivers and those with Alzheimer’s Disease. Art is an alternative way to communicate.

 Remember & Honor Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s,

“The Way They Were & the Way They Are Now”

 Thursday November 18^th

12-1:30pm

Emerald Event Center 2000 East Wendover Avenue

Create a Cake Catering providing lunch for $13.00

 November is Alzheimer Awareness Month

 Topics to be discussed:

• Creating memorials for diseased family members of Alzheimer’s-residential memory gardens, pressed flowers, papercrafting Alzheimer Awareness ribbons and scrapbook pages

• Creating a tribute, honoring the life of a loved one with Alzheimer’s-video montages, poetry

• Benefits of incorporating art therapy in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients. Parts of their brain that deal with colors and composition can still be used and developed and even people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease can continue to create art. A study showed that patients receive pleasure and satisfaction after creating artwork.

Below is a self portrait of an American artist William Utermohlen, 1967

Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1995.

Below is his last self portrait in 2000.

A Papercrafting Workshop will be held at the same location December 3rd, Friday evening from 5-11pm to share and create keepsakes for/of our loved ones. More information here. Please RSVP to Diana@justacloudaway.com

My personal story of the day Gram forgot me.

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Alzheimer’s Took Mom-Not My Memories

A Personal Story of a Daughter’s Love

by Rose Mecca

I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to be a Caregiver for my mom, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  She lived with us for almost 8 years.  But I would have NEVER been able to do so without a caring, loving husband who was more of a son than a son-in-law to mom.  Generous siblings greatly aided us in her care by allowing down time by taking mom out for dinners.

 If a person is alone in this process called Care giving, the days seem never-ending.  I can’t imagine the trials and tribulations of the adventure without help.

 When mom first came to live with us, she had not been diagnosed with her illness.  Within 3 months, the unimaginable became reality.  My husband and I accepted the facts as they were and began making changes in our schedules and that of our mother.

 

I think one of the biggest mistakes in the beginning months was not asking for more help from family members and not expressing our frustrations and anxieties dealing with mom.  When we asked for help and were more open, the help was there.  The Alzheimer’s Association was also great in making us aware of the resources available to us.

 

Mom was still volunteering at our local hospital in the beginning, but over time became more and more difficult for her.  She could not remember the directions even with visual aids.  She could no longer follow simple directions at volunteering and had to be monitored constantly.  We suggested that she discontinue her volunteering and she agreed.  She was aware of her memory problems and it was so sad to see.  They loved her at the hospital and to this day tell us how much they miss her smiling face.

This move robbed her freedom while putting more responsibility on us to provide continual activity for her.  She has always had lots of energy but now it was in overdrive.  My husband devised activities for her such as, stringing beads, making 100 piece puzzles or sweeping the sidewalk around our house.  We simply could not find enough to keep her busy.  We were the ones getting exhausted while she never seemed to tire.  She then started to ‘shadow’ us so that when one of us left her vision, she wanted to know where we were. 

After 8 years, placement in a nursing home became necessary.  I cried and still cry when I think of that day when we placed her in her new ‘home’.  I know in my head it was right, but my heart cannot accept that fact.

For anyone in this situation, I would suggest communicating immediately with other family members and taking full advantage of help available for Caregivers.  The Alzheimer’s Association is a wonderful and helpful agency.  Don’t attempt to do it alone and never let your own health suffer while Care giving. 

Looking back, I never regret those years with mom.  Life is more peaceful now for us and for mom.  We do not worry about her.  She is still loved and believes that she is a volunteer in her new home and we all visit her very often.

Granddaughter speaks on Alzheimer’s

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Free Paper Crafting Workshop in Greensboro

The art of papercrafting incorporates a few supplies with mementoes of loved ones. At the first Love Memorial™ Workshop sponsored by Just a Cloud Away, Inc. ™ Journal, the community brought pictures of their loved ones, infants, and pets that have passed on.  The participants expressed their gratitude to have the opportunity to remember and create keepsakes with their own hands. Various vendors provided snacks, drinks, and music; and Rich Brenner helped out at the microphone.

Local businesses will surprise us each month with goodies, music or other. Angela Howard of Take Shape for Life-Fast Weight Loss and Long Term Health, has lost 210 pounds and serves up a fantastic glass of lemonade.

Pressed flowers will also be available.

Please email Diana@justacloudaway.com if you are interested in attending a casual papercrafting workshop on a monthly basis.  Our next workshop will be on Friday, December 3^rd, at the Emerald Event Center (2000 East Wendover Avenue) from 5-11 PM.   Just a Cloud Away, Inc.™ Journal will sponsor the workshop by supplying scrapbook papers, stickers, cutters, stamps, adhesives, and more. We ask that you bring pictures or any two-dimensional mementoes of loved ones, pregnancy photographs, or beloved pets. If you choose to eat, a $10 charge will cover food and drinks. The workshop is open to avid scrapbookers who would like a comfortable, quiet, and convenient atmosphere to craft cards, collages, scrapbooks, holiday gifts, and whatever else brought to the table!

Many varieties of plants can be utilized in papercrafting, adding beautiful and meaningful touches to your art.

A decoupaged gourd.

Salvia from a memory garden.

Many other supplies will be provided.

Each person will receive a complimentary kit.

For a unique holiday gift try papercrafting an awareness ribbon magnet, for example, an Alzheimer Awareness Ribbons are purple. A granddaughter created the one below as a tribute to her grandmother, age 90.

I hope you can join us:) Please RSVP-Diana@justacloudaway.com

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