Practicing Your Preparedness Plan
September 9, 2015
By Elma Goodwin, Management and Program Analyst, Region 6
Megafest 2015 was viewed by most as a festival and an experience. This event produced by Bishop T. D. Jakes was held in Dallas Aug. 20-22. It was projected to have some 85,000 attendees with activities fit for the entire family. The three-day event returned to Dallas after great success in 2014 bringing a variety of experiences — speakers, entertainers, plays, film festival, vendor exhibits and more.
For me it was an opportunity to partner with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Upsilon Lambda Omega Chapter and the local affiliate of the Alzheimer’s Association to bring awareness to this most awful disease and promote walk activities across the country for support, care and research.
Stats indicate Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. However, it was not stats that drove me to want to promote this cause. It was something more personal; it was something that many can relate to and empathize with. Perhaps you, like me, have lived through the devastation of the disease that impacted a loved one. For me it was an aunt that was like a second mother.
The most disturbing part of this ordeal was I missed an important early warning sign — withdrawal from friends and social activities, in part because of a lack of thorough knowledge of the disease and its early symptoms. I later found that there are 10 of them .
Since our journey began three years ago, I have met a number of people on or have been on the path that I travelled. The future still looks bleak:
- The number living with Alzheimer’s is growing and growing fast.
- Most people living with the disease are not aware of their diagnosis.
- It takes a devastating toll, not just on the afflicted but also on their caregivers
- It is the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.
My aunt died in October 2013. On the journey, I witnessed a complete metamorphosis of her spirit and a dimming of the sparkle in her eyes. In missing her, it has given me a conviction to spread the word and encourage others to do the same. I pause to recognize my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, for its national partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association to educate and advocate in the fight against the disease. Additionally, kudos to ACF for its ongoing support of issues that matter to its communities.
It is a lonely journey. The one thing that could have made it better for me was more upfront information. Learn now for later. Be prepared!
