by Kathy Ruff
Today we had our kick-off meeting for the second annual Alzheimer’s Family Fun Festival & Memory Walk to be held Oct. 9, 2010 at the Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Jim Thorpe.
Fourteen people attended the get-together, including four people from the McLaughlin family from the Lansford area. They lost their husband/father to Alzheimer’s Disease just as my family has lost our father/husband.
It’s odd how the lives of people who never knew each other before become connected by a unique bond of heartache and loss. The ironic part is that these two families have transformed their heartache and tragedy into hope, love and support for others. We’ve joined at the heart to raise funds to find a cure and help others affected by this devastating disease.
Today we have become an extended family, one that will work together, through our losses, to create a day of family memories to support those who have lost theirs.
I had someone recently say to me that the word “fun” shouldn’t be in the title with Alzheimer’s, but that’s exactly where we believe it belongs. I personally think life is meant to be enjoyed, and those who have suffered or lived with someone who has suffered from Alzheimer’s deserve to have fun as a part of their healing process. To me it seems natural.
I would like to thank Patti Anglovich, my sister and the daughter of Frank E. Ruff, for creating this logo for our festival. The figures in the logo represent family; the hearts represent love; and the shapes represent fun.
If you’d like to get involved with our event or give a donation for this year’s Memory Walk, check out my Facebook page (search for Kathy Ruff). You can also share in our extended family.
