Kristen Gets A Website

Kristen has a story in the book and now a website to help get the word out. When she asked me to build it, I couldn’t say no. The site is simple, Kristen’s message is important.

You’ve heard people use the phrase “my pleasure” a million times. Seriously, when it comes to work like this, my pleasure.

memomparkA lot of you reading this know Kristen Cusato. She and I worked together at Channel 8 before she left for the West Coast. Then Kristen’s mom was stricken with Alzheimer’s.

In 2009, when she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia at the age of 61, I quit my TV news job in San Diego, packed up 14 boxes, grabbed my cat and moved back to the East Coast to be with her through her journey.

Kristen’s mom’s journey has ended. Kristen has returned to Southern California.

Her passion and dedication to Alzheimer’s patients and families hasn’t diminished!

I started working for the Alzheimer’s Association in Connecticut, as a trainer, educator and fundraiser. It was after talking about my Mom at a book event, that I met the publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. She told me we needed to do a book about Alzheimer’s. My response: “Yes, we do.” A year later, and Chicken Soup for the Soul Living with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias” is here, in bookstores April 22nd.

Kristen has a story in the book and now a website to help get the word out. When she asked me to build it, I couldn’t say no. The site is simple, Kristen’s message is important.

You’ve heard people use the phrase “my pleasure” a million times. Seriously, when it comes to work like this, my pleasure.

Up Early For Alzheimer’s

You get to meet a lot of people at events like this. Some, like me, have family members affected. Many of the walkers are unpaid caregivers for friends or relatives. Alzheimer’s is labor intensive!

Like Juvenile Diabetes it’s likely Alzheimer’s will be cured one day. The question is how quickly that day comes. Events like today’s work to shorten the wait.

I’m not an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy. My day usually ends around the same time most people’s is beginning. That goes double for Sundays!

Not today. Helaine gave me a gentle jostle around 7:30 AM. Kvetch? I wouldn’t dare. She was up even earlier!

Today was the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” at Bushnell Park in Hartford. I emceed with Renee Denino from The River (and the other Clear Channel stations in Connecticut)

I probably would have gone no matter who asked, but it was Kristen Cusato’s request. There’s little Kristen could ask that I’d refuse. She works for the Alzheimer’s Association. She has a personal connection as well.

A substantial crowd showed. There were 208 teams and around 1,500 walkers. That’s doubly impressive considering the chilly rain showers that fell.

You get to meet a lot of people at events like this. Some, like me, have family members affected. Many of the walkers are unpaid caregivers for friends or relatives. Alzheimer’s is labor and emotion intensive!

Like Juvenile Diabetes it’s likely Alzheimer’s will be cured one day. The question is how quickly that day comes. Events like today’s work to shorten the wait.