Marilyn Monroe and Memory Loss

I came across an entertaining and provocative blog about Marilyn Monroe and memory loss....another blog abour Rita Hayworth is also on the recent list. It's very good reading. http://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/blog/

Feet of Memory exists to support organizations like USAgainstAlzheimers, The Alzheimer's Association, research hospitals and support systems. Our 2013 focus is on the work of the Alzheimer's Association and funds raised on the Walk of 2,400 miles that begins in Key West on March 17 will be donated to this organization.

Alzheimer's disease is frequently in the news and another great article appears in the February 7 edition of USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/06/alzheimers-dementia-epidemic-numbers-to-triple/1881151/
It is expected, given current trends, that Alzheimer's will be at an epidemic level by 2050. We can't allow this, folks. There must be a way to find a cure...a block...something that will enable people to keep the memories of their dearest loved ones, their personal lives, their own 'self.' This disease robs so much from the individual, the family, the community and the costs are staggering.An updated estimate based on the 2010 census, predicts more than $2 TRILLION dollars will go to the health care needs of those with Alzheimer's disease.
By supporting Feet of Memory you support these organizations. They have their own fundraising mechanisms in place, and ours is meant to enhance theirs.
Please visit www.feetofmemory.com to read about our progam and organization and to donate.

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.

 

Launch reception

Such a busy, busy time as we prepare and advertise for the launch tomorrow evening, October 24. If you can, please come along to Jackson Library on Fulton Road NW just across the street from Jackson High School. We'll be there from 5-7 p.m. with presentations by Geoffrey Darling, Rose Darling, and Alzheimer's Association representatives. Meet the Board of Directors, and hear details of the walk from Key West to Maine. Nibble on delicious London's Candies chocolates and Heggy's nuts.

Why are we doing this? Geoffrey's mother Pat lived in the dark shadows of Alzheimer's diesease for 24 years until she passed on five days after her 90th birthday this year in March. Not only did she suffer because of this disease, but the whole family and her friends suffered right along with her, then, when her memory was gone, theirs continued. Feet of Memory Inc was created to raise awareness and funds to help end Alzheimer's disease through research, education and support services.

Grandma doesn't remember me anymore

"Why doesn't Grandma remember my name anymore?"
Not many questions are sadder than this. How sad for a child to stand by a dear grandparent and that one who used to play ball, tell stories and play hide and seek cannot remember the child's name.

How sad for the wife of 57 years to sit across from a breakfast table only to hear her beloved husband call her by a different name.

Such as scenes every day as Alzheimer's disease steals away memories, names, places, people....life. Memory loss starts small and grows until it eats away most of one's life's memories. even the body itself is affected by its own kind of memory loss...how to tie shoes, the urge to eat, or use the bathroom, or what time of day it is. Some people cannot tell the temperature and go outside dressed for summertime when the snow is blowing.

We at Feet of Memory Inc. set a goal to raise as much awareness and money to join in the challenge to bring an end - soon - to Alzheimer's disease. Your gifts and continued support of events and fundraising drives makes an impact. You help provide support services like support groups and educational seminars to family members and caregivers. You help provide funds for further research. You...yes, YOU, help us find an end to Alzheimer's disease when you support Feet of Memory Inc. we are a nonprofit organization in Ohio, but our Feet take us many places to raise money and awareness.

If your life and family has been touched by Alzheimer's disease, please write to us at feetmemory@yahoo.com we would love to hear your story. We also thank you for your donations and gift cards to national chain restaurants, hotels, gasoline stations, and general use such as Visa or Master Card prepaid gift cards. These help us do our work.

As you know, the months are swiftly flying by and we will soon be on our trek from Key West to Ft. Kent Maine. This journey of 2400 miles starts with a single step, and those many steps are made possible by the freewill donations of people like you.

Thank you.

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.

UPDATES

Whew....I've been so busy planning and working toward the Launch that I've hardly had time to sit down and write to you. So I will start the day here, instead of there....

For those of you in the Canton/Akron/Massillon area of Ohio, we do hope you will pop in to the launch of Feet of Memory Inc on Wednesday, October 24 from 5-7pm at the Jackson Library on Fulton Road. Meet the Board, Founders, hear a dramatic original presentation by Founder and CEO Geoffrey Darling, aka our Walker. Other presenters include Loren Veigel, Artistic Director of VOCI,Inc. will share his family's journey with Alzheimer's disease, and a representative from the Alzheimer's Association will update research news. Rose Darling, Co-Founder and co-CEO gives a sample from her "Lessons in a Lunchbox" - a faith-based non-denominational, interactive program for those with mild to moderate memory loss, and their caregivers and family members.  A Balloons of Memory flight will be launched immediately after the official launch of the organization at 6:15.

Additionally, you may munch on Nuts 'n Chocolates and shop specially designed and crafted products in "Pat's Corner," named for Geoffrey's mother Pat who died in 2012 at the age of 90 after 24 years with Alzheimer's.  Lynn Marie Jewelry offers beautiful aquamarine necklaces, and Feet of Memory tee-shirts will be available to order.
We will see you there...only a month away!

Check out our website for details about Feet of Memory, and information about the extreme walk from Key West to Maine...a journey of 2,400 miles we take in 2013.  www.feetofmemory.com

About Geoffrey Darling

We've focused a lot of Geoffrey's 100 day walk in 2013, but I"ve not shared too much about his other "Feat" of memory. Geoffrey is an experienced, well-trained and awarded stage actor. In addition to his marathon-long walks each day, he offers solo performances of one of several plays. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Ludwig Van The Ancient Mariner," and "Tenacity," an original play about a conversation he had with his mother prior to her journey into the deep clouds of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease which she had for 24 long years.

Geoffrey has performed in numerous plays from the heaviest of dramas such as "Macbeth" to light-hearted comedies like "My Favorite Year," and even musicals such as "Porgy and Bess." His New Zealand training under Dame Ngaio Marsh at Canterbury University in beautiful Christchurch, New Zealand allowed him to discover his powerful voice and stage presence. Geoffrey has performed throughout New Zealand, London, Australia, Ireland and in the United States.

He has a great deal of experience in walking all day and performing at night. In 2002, he walked the length of the South Island of New Zealand on a fundraiser for the Bible Society After a days' journey, sometimes in chilly wind, rain and even snow, he performed a 90-minute dramatic presentation of the Gospel of St Mark.

The Secret Garden at the Magical Theatre in Barberton, Ohio

Geoffrey Darling offers his stirring performances to churches, Alzheimer Association chapters, senior community groups and others as he walks this journey from Key West to Maine. For more information or to book Mr. Darling, contact him at feetmemory@yahoo.com.

Services you help provide

How do donations translate into literal help for those dealing with Alzheimer's Disease? There are numerous hospitals, research labs, service organizations and governmental agencies that work to find an end to Alzheimer's Disease. Monies raised by organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association go toward advancing research, on advocacy for greater emphasis on Alzheimer's disease by government agencies, on education, and services. Local chapters and groups offer group support meetings, conferences, libraries, and speakers who can share what's new in research as well as practical advice on dealing with the challenges brought on by memory loss. Of course, Alzheimer's disease knows no geographic boundaries as people around the world deal with the devastating effects of memory loss and dementia.

Some of the groups may or may not include people with the disease. Often, as they slip into deeper memory loss, social activities slip away. A few years ago, I co-wrote and offered a "Bible study" program for those with mild to moderate memory loss. Family members were invited to participate and we were thrilled to find many sons and daughters bringing their parents to these interactive gatherings where they sang old hymns and responded to biblical stories they had heard as children. Many tears were seen in the eyes of family members as they witnessed their loved one singing and reciting songs and verses learned long, long ago.


As Geoffrey walks the 2,400 miles from Key West to Maine, I will gladly present this program to older adult church groups, retirement communities, support groups and others that are located within driving distance of his walk on historic US Rt 1. Just write to Rose at feetmemory@yahoo.com asking for Lessons in a Lunchbox (c)

Dark Clouds of Memory Loss

Sometimes a call would come in the middle of the night, "Your mother was walking around the mall at 2 a.m. in her nightgown. She's safe. Please come and get her."

A full-security rest home was needed. In New Zealand's beautiful resort town of Rotorura, Pat Darling lived comfortably in a rest home for over 20 years. Gradually, she slipped from occasional lucidity to not recognizing her own family for many years. It is her life in the dark clouds of memory loss that Geoffrey honors through Feet of Memory. His extreme walk from Key West to Maine on historic US Rt. 1 begins on the anniversary of her birth - 17 March.

Allow Geoffrey's walk to honor your loved one also.
Consider becoming a donor at one of the following levels:

Path Builders: $20-50

Walkway Builders: $51-250

Road Builders: $251-500

Highway Partner : $501-1,000

Historic Route Guide: $1,001-and above

Thank you.

Feet of Memory is a nonprofit organization developed to raise funds to support Alzheimer's disease research, education and services through extreme, endurance walks.Please LIKE us on Facebook.

FACTS about Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease cannot be (yet) be controlled, stopped or slowed and is a leading cause of death in the United States.

So, who is this man and why is he walking 2,400 miles in 2013?

Geoffrey Darling, co-founder and co-executive director of Feet of Memory is determined to do as much as he can while he can to help END Alzheimer's disease. He watched his mother Pat walk deeper into the thickening clouds of memory loss for 24 years. Her journey ended in March 2012, but countless others around the world must face the dark clouds that blot out the light of memory.

By walking extreme, endurance walks such as the one planned from Key West to Maine, he aims to raise as much money and awareness to enable the Alzheimer's Association continue and expand its research, education, advocacy and support services to bring an end to this disease.

YOU can help by enabling Geoffrey and Feet of Memory with your support. Have your friends follow this blog and our Facebook page to read about specific ways you can help and to follow our progress as we work toward this mega-walk in March 2013.

This blog will soon be remodeled to better inform you of who we are and our progress, thanks to YOU, our readers and supporters.

Deer Hawk

You never know what you will see along the Towpath. While on a 30-mile training walk yesterday, Geoffrey came across this stately hawk and soon realized its wing was injured. Park ranger phone numbers are posted along the Towpath, but he could find none, but fortunately someone had, and as Geoffrey walked nearer, he heard the call about a distressed hawk. Hopefully help was swift and they were able to help it.
A large deer also bounded from the wooded areas across the path...a bit startling, but wonderful, to see!
During these last weeks of summer and early autumn here in northeast Ohio, color abounds. Already we notice spots of red and yellow on trees, and the bees are out full force doing what they do this time of the year.

If you have a loved one with mild to moderate dementia, why not take them on a walk or in a chair if needed, into a place of natural beauty? This may trigger memories of years gone by, and if not, they and you, will enjoy the beauty of the outdoors as well as the company of someone you love.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education and support services for families and friends of those with increasing memory loss. Visit www.alz.org for information about research and much more. Find a support group in your area. Support fundraising events for this important work.

Feet of Memory was created to support the Alzheimer's Association through endurance, extreme walks and theatrical performances. We will soon have a calendar of events you may attend...and we hope you will if you are in the area. We will skype these events as much as possible so you may be a part of it, too!

We have a wish list that you can help us with. They will soon be posted on our website which is under construction, but available to view now. These items such as gift cards to chain restaurants and gasoline stations will help Feet of Memory fulfill its goal to raise money....LOTS of money for the Alzheimer's Association and its research, education and support services. Geoffrey will walk the 2,400 miles from Key west to Maine along historic U.S. Rt 1, through "Americana" at its best as well as some of the largest cities in the USA. You can join him on portions of the walk near you! We will post a map on the website at www.feetofmemory.com. Gather some friends, and pledges, and walk 5, 10, 20 miles with him to help end Alzheimer's disease. You'll never know what wonders of nature YOU will discover along the way.

Contact feetmemory@yahoo.com for details.

Facebook Connection

Geoffrey out on a training walk along the Towpath

Our favorite Walker is out on a gorgeous day following a terrific Board meeting. Things are rolling along now and in the next few days and weeks, we will have a great deal more specifics to tell you. But for now, the daily training continues, fundraising events are in the planning-process, and we are getting the word out about Geoffrey's extreme walk. Will you help us please? If you read this blog, will you share it with friends and family, and also go to Facebook and search Feet of Memory for additional exposure to the general public.

On FB we are starting a discussion about how Alzheimer's disease has touched your life. Did or does your grandmother have memory loss? How do you feel when your loved one doesn't know your name? Please go to Facebook and ehlp start the discussion.

Itinerary looks dauntingly fun

St Paddy's Day minus 223 and all's well - with 450 training miles under the belt and 1950 to go - until I realise that, when translated to the actual walk from Key West to Fort Kent, Maine, that does not even get us out of Florida. Or even to the second scheduled rest day. At mile-peg 450 we will be a day's march from St Augustine Beach and still three days from reaching Georgia - so even though a gentle nine mile walk beckons today we know the time has come to put in some testing 25-miles plus walks. Question is, when can we spare the time for the all-day effort and the all-week recovery.  As summer threatens to close down temperatures in sunny Ohio and bring this Golden Weather to an End, I want to get the daily average required to below 8 miles per day by the beginning of December - because I want to have walked 2400 miles in training since May 23 ( when records began, as they say in the weather forecasts) - the  required average is still 8.71 daily miles and the completed average - well let's math the do. 450/ 82 is 5.48 per day! - that's a revelation. I thought things were better than that.  Too many days off, too much self-indulgence and not enough reality. Nevertheless the physical results are still good and the pulse rate is 46.
So take a quick look at the schedule and see if you agree that, even at eight months out, we need to get urgent -

Florida                                               miles

March 17:  Key West to Big Pine Key     30 

March 18: Big Pine Key to Marathon     18

March 19:  Marathon to Layton              20

March 20: Layton to Key Largo               31

March 21: Key Largo to Homestead       30

March 22: Homestead to Cutter Bay     12

March 23: Cutter Bay to Miami Beach   23

March 24: Miami Bch to Ft Lauderdale 24

March 25: Ft Lauderdale to Delray Bch  29

March 26: Delray to West Palm Beach  19

March 27: Day off walking

March 28: W.Palm Bch to Hobe Sound  27

Good Friday: Hobe to White City           24

March 30: White City to Vero Beach      27

Easter Sunday: Vero to Grant                 22

April 1: Grant to Palm Shores                                21

April 2: Palm Shores to Titusville           30

April 3: Titusville to Bethune Beach       24

April 4: Bethune to Daytona                   23

April 5: Daytona to Flagler                     20

April 6: Flagler to St Augustine Beach   28

April 7: Day off walking

April 8: St Augustine Bch to Bayard       25

April 9: Bayard to Jacksonville                17

April 10: Jacksonville to Callahan           20

Georgia

April 11: Callahan to Folkston                                22

April 12: Folkston to Waycross Forest   27

April 13: Waycross F. to Alma                                32

April 14: Alma to Baxley                         20

April 15: Baxley to Toombs Central        19

April 16: Toombs to Oak Park                 24

April 17: Day off walking

April 18: Day off walking

April 19: Oak Park to Swansboro            18

April 20: Swansboro to Louisville           30

April 21: Louisville to Blythe                   29

April 22: Blythe to North Augusta          21

April 23: North August to Ridge Spring  32

South Carolina

April 24: Ridge Spring to Lexington        28

April 25: Lexington to Dentsville            18

April 26: Dentsville to Camden               25

April 27: Camden to McBee                   27

April 28: McBee to Cheraw                    28

April 29: Cheraw to  Rockingham           20

North Carolina

April 30:  Rockingham to Aberdeen       26

May 1: Day off walking

May 2: Aberdeen to Sanford                  30

May 3: Sanford to Jordan Lake               21

May 4: Jordan Lake to Raleigh               25

May 5: Raleigh to Wake Forest              17

May 6: Wake Forest to Henderson        27

May 7: Henderson to Palmer Springs    24

May 8: Palmer Sp. to  Meredithville      26

Virginia

May 9: Meredithville to McKenny          18

May 10: McKenny to Petersburg            26

May 11: Petersburg to Richmond           22

May 12: Day of walking

May 13: Richmond to Ashland               16

May 14: Ashland to Co.606                     27

May 15: Co.606 to Aquila Park               24

May 16: Aquila Park to Springfield         27

May 17: Day off walking

May 18: Springfield to College Park       24

Maryland

May 19: College Park to Baltimore        26

May 20: Baltimore to Bel Air                 23

May 21: Bel Air to Rising Sun                 22

May 22: Rising Sun to Kennett Square   24

Pennsylvania

May 23: Kennett Sq. to Drexel Hill         24

May 24: Drexel  to Philadelphia East     24

May 25: Phil. East to  Princeton             25

New Jersey

May 26: Princeton to Woodbridge         26

May 27: Woodbridge to Newark            15

May 28: Newark to Pelham Manor        27

New York

May 29: Pelham Manor to Rye               9

May 30: Day off walking

May 31: Rye to Norwalk                         19

Connecticut

June 1: Norwalk to Milford                     21

June 2: Milford to Guilford                     24

June 3: Guilford to Old Lyme                  25

June 4: Old Lyme to Mystic                    23

June 5: Mystic to Kingston                      30

Rhode Island

June 6: Kingston to Cranston                  24

June 7: Cranston to South Walpole        24

Massachussets

June 8: South Walpole  to Quincy          22

June 9: Quincy to Revere                        15

June 10: Day off walking

June 11:  Revere to Newburyport           30

June 12: Newburport to Portsmouth      20

New Hampshire

June 13: Portsmouth to Kenneburk        26

Maine

June 14: Kenneburk to Portland              26

June 15: Portland to Brunswick              26

June 16: Brunswick to Damoriscotta      26

June 17: Damoriscotta to Rockland        27

June 18: Day off walking

June 19: Rockland to Belfast                  20

June 20: Belfast to East Orland              22

June 21: East Orland to Hancock            24

June 22: Hancock to Addison                  31

June 23: Addison to East Macha            22

June 24: East Macha to Pembroke         27

June 25: Pembroke to Calais                  26

June 26: Calais to Princeton                   20

June 27: Princeton to Houlton Road       26

June 28: Houlton Rd to Amity                                30

June 29: Amity to Monticello                 27

June 30: Monticello to Presque Isle       28

July 1: Presque Isle to Caribou                13

July 2: Caribou to Van Buren                  22

July 3: Van Buren to Madawaska           24

July 4: Madawaska to Fort Kent             20         

    

Put One Foot in Front of the Other

Follow us on a 2,400 mile journey from Key West to Maine to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's research and support. 

This "feet for memory" honors Geoffrey Darling's mother and family who suffered the effects of Alzheimer's Disease for 24 years. Each 100 miles equals every year.  

The trek begins with the launching of this blog  May 1, 2012 and the walk starting in Key West on March 17, 2013. It sounds a long way off, but time does fly!

Follow along our journey ... and please, lend your support.