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Michelle Ramlow, who works with the Alzheimer’s
Association in Springfield, opened the day’s activities by welcoming
everyone to the event. Ramlow said there are staff available 24
hours per day, seven days a week for those dealing with Alzheimer’s
related issues such as a family member who has wandered out or is
having behavior issues.
Ramlow said help comes through research and many trial studies. She
told everyone “Alzheimer’s is not going to back down and neither
should we.”
Ramlow said the event’s committee members were Julie Bobell, Julie
King, Paul Boatman, Nancy Cunningham and Leigh Mosher.
When asked about the decision to hold an Alzheimer’s
Awareness Walk in Lincoln, Boatman said the Walk to End Alzheimer’s
came about because it is a nationwide movement.
Boatman said that in Logan County, there are over 600 people who
have Alzheimer's Disease [and] about 2000 people who are involved in
caregiving for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. About one
person in 12 in our county is directly impacted by Alzheimer's. No
other disease cuts such a wide swath.”
Boatman said, “Since we have numerous people facing the disease in
our county, we decided to petition the Alzheimer's Association to
sponsor a walk here. Technically, our walk is a satellite walk for
the Springfield Walk, which took place last Saturday. We hope in the
future to sponsor a free-standing walk.”
Boatman said, “The walk is a fundraiser for research aimed at
defeating Alzheimer's Disease, but it does much more than that. It
raises awareness of the disease and its impact. It provides an
opportunity for people who want to "do something" to join together
in support of those who are struggling with the disease.”
Boatman shared his personal story of dealing with his wife’s
Alzheimer’s for almost ten years before she died a month ago.
Boatman said, “We faced challenges, took road trips and sometimes
got lost, but we had a great partnership and lots of support.” He
then sang “To All the Thoughts I’ve Had Before,” a song with lyrics
written by him and his wife and set to the tune of “To All the Girls
I’ve Loved Before.”
Ramlow had people come up to the stage holding
“spinning flowers” in different colors to represent their role in
dealing with Alzheimer’s. The orange flower held by Julie Bobell
highlighted the reason for people who support the cause. The purple
flower held by Paul Boatman represented those who have lost someone
with Alzheimer’s disease. The yellow flower held by Renee represents
caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s. The blue flower held by Mark
Boatman represented people living with a diagnosis of dementia.
Ramlow said they are one day hoping the first
survivor can hold a white flower. She said, “we won’t back down.
Together we can fight the disease.”
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Before the walk got underway, Janell Woolard led
participants in Zumba to warm them up.
Boatman said, “The walk is in many ways symbolic.” The walk covered
the paved one-sixth-mile walking trail behind Oasis Seniors Center
on Woodlawn Road and some walked around the trail several times.
Others cheered them on from the sidelines.
Some teams represented people who were not present, and others
walked in honor of, or in memory, of a specific Alzheimer's
sufferer. Several people came to the ‘walk’ just to celebrate a
friend or relative who has valiantly fought the disease.
Approximately 50 Lincoln College athletes ran all the
way from the college to join in the walk, taking several laps around
the track.
Cunningham said there were teams from the Christian Village, St.
Clara’s Manor, Castle Manor, the Oasis Senior Center, Copper Creek,
Safe Haven Hospice, and Carelink.
Business sponsors who supported the cause helped make
the event possible. Boatman said, “Guzzardo's Italian Villa was our
first corporate sponsor. Culver's enabled an Alzheimer's Walk
fundraiser this week.” The committee was thankful for all the
support.
Elaine Knight, who was helping participants get
registered, said she got connected through volunteering at the
Oasis. Knight said she has lost some family members due to stroke
related dementia, so the cause is important to her.
Cunningham said as of Saturday, almost $7,500 in support had been
raised. They are hoping the amount reaches at least $10,000.
Donations to the cause will be accepted through December 31, 2018
and donations of all sizes are welcome.
[Angela Reiners] |
