Thursday, June 11, 2009
We need to stand as a group in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease
Elizabeth Manley, a presenter at the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County’s Annual General Meeting held on June 3rd, spoke from her heart to a crowd of over 150 people about the need to break down the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease using her family’s personal story. ”I would like to be seen not as Liz Manley, the skater, but Liz Manley, whose father has Alzheimer’s disease,” says Manley. “I was so devastated when I learned about my father’s diagnosis.”
Manley always thought of her father as a hockey coach, pilot, outgoing, being indestructible and so alive; never thinking that anything would ever happen to her parents. “Betty, my stepmother, who has been our family’s rock got in touch with the Alzheimer Society and the First Link™ Program instantly to help us now and also prepare us. The Alzheimer Society has embraced Betty and us as a family so I feel like I’m a part of this family now. That’s why I’m speaking out to help remove stigma.”
The Alzheimer Society continues to work hard to raise awareness about the disease, and to educate people about the myths and reality of Alzheimer’s disease. Through the First Link™ program, the Alzheimer Society reaches out to people just after diagnosis, linking them with local support at a time when they need it most. We need to break down the stigma that prevents people from reaching out for the support they need and being able to continue to live meaningful lives.
“I love my dad with all my heart,” Manley says as she concluded her presentation. “We need to speak with politicians, get the word out, and raise awareness. We need to stand as a group in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.”
Within the group in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease are the professionals like Dr. Andrew Frank, a Cognitive and Behavioural Neurologist, as well as the Medical Director of the Memory Disorder Clinic in Ottawa. This Clinic provides specialized diagnostic service for those with dementia and access to clinical trials and community services. Dr. Frank, in his presentation on the Current Research into the Cause and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease, shared information on research, usefulness and side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors, as well as non-medical and future treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, and more. To receive a copy of Dr. Andrew Frank’s AGM presentation notes on “Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Research into the Cause and Treatment”, email the Alzheimer Society at info@asorc.org or call 613-523-4004 in Ottawa or toll free in Renfrew County at 1-888-411-2067.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, or the programs of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, visit www.alzheimer-ottawa-rc.org.
We all have a reason to care. In Ottawa and Renfrew County, 12,000 people have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and this number does not include family members. For every person affected, 10 to 12 others are directly impacted.
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