Deborah Williams, Caregiver and Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer Advocate
During National Volunteer Week and all year long, we wish to celebrate the stories of our dedicated and hard-working volunteers. This is the story of Deborah Williams, caregiver and volunteer:
I became a volunteer Alzheimer’s advocate after caring for my mom. She was a strong, vibrant, independent woman who hid her disease from family and friends for a very long time. She was also my best friend. When my mom was finally diagnosed with dementia it was one of the worst days of my life, second only to the day she passed due to dementia-related complications. I have horrible and sad memories of how this ugly disease changed my mom, my family and my life forever. Alzheimer’s robbed me of my future plans and dreams with my mom. Instead, I watched hopelessly as my mom faded away right before my eyes. Now I’ve learned that African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and less likely to be diagnosed, resulting in less time for treatment and planning.This is why I advocate for research and education to end Alzheimer’s.
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Thank you for being an advocate!!