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    Angela Lunde

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  • March 30, 2010

    Family facing dementia lives with joy and purpose

    By Angela Lunde

3 comments posted

On March 20, the Annual "Meeting of the Minds" Conference took place in St. Paul, Minn. The conference this year gathered approximately 1300 individuals made up of professionals in the field of dementia, along with caregivers, families, and persons with mild cognitive impairment or the early stages of a dementia.

It was a conference that inspired hope and a sense of community. We learned how leading researchers are looking for ways to predict Alzheimer's disease, improve diagnostic techniques, identify high-risk individuals, and ultimately develop preventative treatments and an eventual cure. There were breakout sessions, service vendors and advocacy opportunities.

The conference introduced us to the DeMoe family from North Dakota. The DeMoe family is made up of six children, five of whom carry a gene mutation that has resulted in younger-onset Alzheimer's. Several members of the DeMoe family took the stage and while firmly interlocking hands, shared their journey. You may think that what we heard was a story of tragedy and heartache, but quite the contrary. What we heard and felt was a family in a place of acceptance and love. The family reminded me that none of us get to live this life without grief and loss. The DeMoe family understands this and lives each day with joy and purpose by participating in research, sharing their story, hugging any one who needs it, and with lots and lots of humor.

For me, the annual conference is like coming home after being away for a year. I see familiar faces dedicated to their work, I reconnect with families who I have met and supported over the years, and I stand proudly beside my colleagues who share my passion for making a difference in the lives of anyone impacted by dementia. I am certain the energy generated on this special day drenched us all with an undeniable feeling of community and oneness.

Until next year.

3 comments posted

blog index
  • July 31, 2010 8:07 a.m.

    We get a bunch of different advice and opinions on such questions from everyone we talk to and since babies don’t come with a “manual” – it’s hard to know what the right thing to do is. Thus, it is very important that the parents should educate themselves with the right ways or techniques to take care of their newly born babies. ==================== ================================= Healthy Living

    - Healthy Living

  • April 23, 2010 7:06 a.m.

    Deseo sugerir cambiar el nombre de demencia,por Disfuncion Cerebral Senil, ya que los pacientes y familiares,sufren y acusan DEPRESION-STRES-ANSIEDAD-ANGUSTIA-TRISTEZA....etc . No remediando la situacion de ninguna forma, hay que tener sumo cuidado, en el uso de la palabra .

    - gustavo

  • March 31, 2010 10:58 a.m.

    My family carries the gene mutation for early on-set. My father died at 40 years of age, my brother at 42 years, and my sister at 48. In all cases, symptoms showed in the thirties of age. I have a younger sister that has been diagnosed as well and she has witnessed the other deaths in my family. She is a beautiful 40 year old with a heart of gold. She is the bravest person I know who still lives life to the fullest knowing what soon is ahead. I pray each and every day for a cure in time for her and wonder why I was spared and she was not.

    - Rick

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