Strength in Every Step: How Being a Dementia Caregiver Led Me to the Disney Princess Half Marathon on my Bucket List

My mom's Alzheimer's diagnosis was an accident, but it would change my life forever. I’ll never forget that hot and humid June day. I called my mom in the morning, but she didn’t answer. I assumed she was in the bathroom or that her cell phone was dead. But as the day wore on and I still hadn’t heard from her, I grew more anxious. I decided to stop by her place to check on her.

What I found when I arrived still haunts me. My mom was on the floor, face down, with the door chain still locked. In that moment, I called 911 and watched as they had to break down the door to reach her. Thankfully, she was conscious, but she had fallen and injured herself badly. She had torn her tricep muscle and broken her elbow, requiring surgery.

It was during this hospital stay that we learned the devastating truth: my mom had Alzheimer's and dementia. That moment marked the beginning of my journey as a full-time caregiver while also working full time. I was suddenly thrust into a new reality, managing my mom’s medical needs, and navigating the overwhelming challenges of caring for someone with a degenerative brain disease while working fulltime to support her.

As I look back on this journey, I realize just how much support I needed. And that’s why I’m participating in the Disney Princess Half Marathon, raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. The funds we raise will go toward supporting caregivers like myself, and helping provide critical resources and research for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Please consider supporting my race and my journey to raise awareness for this life-changing cause.