Sports-related Head Injuries and Alzheimer's disease

 

Feet of Memory Inc. exists to help bring an end to Alzheimer's disease through long-distance endurance walks and theatre.

Visit us at www.feetofmemory.com

Email us at feetmemory@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

In the February 15, 2013 issue of the New York Times is a long and interesting article on sports-related brain injuries and the short and long-term effects. The writer shared: "In September 2009, a study commissioned by the N.F.L. reported that Alzheimer’s disease or similar memory-related diseases appear to have been diagnosed in the league’s former players vastly more often than in the national population — including a rate of 19 times the normal rate for men ages 30 through 49. The study was conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research."
These men are ages 30-49...prime of life time, not a time of memory loss and even Alzheimer's disease. Here is the link for further reading.
We at Feet of Memory, Inc. are concerned about all ages of people who deal with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Prevention as well as treatment are important, and we need to do all we can to end this disease. If that means better designed sports equipment and improved treatment for concussion and head trauma, then we want to be part of awareness and funding.We are in conversation with several health care professionals and sports figures to present a seminar on this current and important topic. We will share information as soon as we can.

OperaTOONity

we're BAAAACK

Actually we haven't gone anywhere....yet...we've been super busy raising funds for the Walk that we just didn't have enough time to do everything...and then...the FLU hit.

Sigh.

But we are back on our feet....

 

COMING THIS WEEKEND! 

A fun fund-raiser for Feet of Memory's endurance Walk that begins in Key West on March 17 with the mission to help end Alzheimer's disease and fight memory-loss.

 

On Sunday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. you have an OperaTOONity

for family fun, Looney Tunes, with Bugs and Elmer and Sylvester, too.  The Central Catholic Choir and soprano Robin Bennett.

2:00 pm at

Lions Lincoln Theatre on Lincoln Way West in downtown Massillon, Ohio.

A SPECIAL FUNDRAISER “framed picture” RAFFLE lets you have your picture taken with your favorite character. Five winners!  Proceeds from picture raffle to benefit Chloe, a 3-year-old Perry Township child needing chemo, radiation and surgery for a rare kidney tumor.

Dress as a Loony Toons character:  Costume contest/parade for our under-12 year old guests

50/50 Raffle

Call Rose (330-639-5378) or Geoffrey (330-819-8109) to order your tickets for this FUN Fund-Raising Concert!

Adults $10 – children 5 through 12, $8  

Check out :Feet of Memory Inc. www.feetofmemory.com  - feetofmemory.blogspot.com

Facebook.

Proceeds from this concert will support Geoffrey Darling’s Feet of Memory 2,400 mile walk to help end Alzheimer’s disease that begins in March.

 

MORE UPDATES

I apologize for my absense...my sister had a stroke last week, and my oldest son got married. Of such opposites is life.

Speaking of opposites, when I worked in a long term care health care home, it was often difficult to see residents begin the downhill descent into the darkness of memory loss. As activities diector, it was my job to devise programs to help keep minds stimulated, and to bring out hidden talents or interests. A very elderly Chinese resident had a wonderful gift of art and never knew it until he joined my watercolor class. In his first class, he painted a beautiful scene...in a delicate, Chinese style. He became a prolific painter! His English was not good, and his hearing was very bad so he could not communicate well with people. But he could paint, and paint he did! His verbal communication was not good, but his visual communication was beautiful....opposites in action.

Even people with memory loss may find such hidden or latent skills. In 2013, we will add to our Feet of Memory program a drama club for those with mild memory loss. It will be a club where they can learn lines, express themselves in drama and music, and stimulate portions of the brain.

But first, the extreme endurance Walk from Key West to Maine will be completed in 2013. Geoffrey continues to train so the walk will be successful. As you know, this walk will help raise Awareness and Funds for Alzheimer's research, education and support services.

We now have several events planned to help make this walk possible. Here is a list for the next few months:

October 24: 5-7 pm Launch reception at Jackson Library, Canton/Massilon, Ohio. Geoffrey will embark on a 24 mile walk at 9am. You are welcome to join him! Then at 5:30 Geoffrey will give a dramatic presentation followed by other presentations by Rose Darling, Loren Veigel, the Artistic Director of Canton's VOCI, and a research update from the Alzheimer's Association. The official launch is at 6:15 followed by a Balloons of Memory lift-off and updates on events, and raffle drawing.
Nuts 'n Chocolates to enjoy, raffle, and "Pat's Corner" jewelry by Lynn Marie Jewelry, and teeshirts.

November 17: 6-8:30pm Wine Tasting at Maize Valley Farms near Hartville, Ohio. Tickets are $25.00 each adult and include - Four wine tastings of your choice (you keep the glass)
Appetizers
Live music in the lounge
ADDITIONAL:
Raffle including a wine basket from Maize Valley
Corn Hole Tournament
50/50 drawing and more!
You may contact us at feetmemory@yahoo.com for tickets. A list of places where you may purchase tickets in the Canton area will soon be posted.

December:The Christmas Party Hop...Dance the evening away to the sounds of the 60s and 70s at our Christmas Party at Lake Cable Clubhouse!! Date and details to be announced soon.

Early Onset Dementia

Feet of Memory Inc. funds will go to help the Alzheimer's Association continue their research, education, advocacy and support services to help find an end to Alzheimer's disease. Many of the chapters offer education and support groups to help those with early-onset dementia and their care givers/partners.

Geoffrey's mother, Pat, developed early-onset dementia at around age 65, perhaps even earlier, and once told Geoffrey that "I will live to a great old age, but I won't remember any of it." Sadly,she was right. She lived five days past her 90th birthday 17 March, 2012 and did not remember anything for about a quarter of her years. Feet of Memory Inc. and Geoffrey's extreme endurance walks are in honor of her, and those like her....and to help end this disease.

Another friend has a rare form of early-onset dementia called frontal lobe dementia....he is about 70 years old...in a wheelchair. Unable to speak. Knowing and understanding almost nothing. And growing worse by the day.

Please help us help them. Ask how you can support Feet of Memory Inc. During Geoffrey's walk from Key West to the Canadian border in Maine, you will have opportunities to walk with him, attend special dramatic stage performances, and donate to Feet of Memory Inc. read more about us on www.feetofmemory.com. Contact us via email at feetmemory@yahoo.com.
Thank you.