Can I count on you to join my team “Papa James Fountain” and walk with me in our efforts to end Alzheimer’s September 17th?
Why this matters to our Mrs. Colorado 2022 -
My Connection My Story: As Mrs. Colorado 2022, I will continue my work with the Alzheimer’s Association as my platform in memory of my dad and family members who are living with and passed away from this decease. I am a daddy’s girl and an only child. My family is from Shreveport Louisiana, and we are a very tight knit family. I loss my mom to cancer in 2005 and my dad and I had each other to embrace. My dad struggles with the loss of his high school sweetheart and soul mate, married 46 years, and never the same. A few years before mom was diagnosed with cancer dad gave up alcohol due to his diagnosis with diabetes. After her passing he started drinking again which complicated his health issues. Over the years dad’s health declined, kidney failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, and ultimately dementia and heart failure. I had become his caregiver. I remember the moment the roles shifted from my hero; The dad who had all the answers and made me feel better after talking with him, to a frail man with childlike behaviors requiring my care and protection. I felt heavy about life one day and had a conversation with my dad and we were two ships passing in the night. He did not comprehend what I was saying. This moment was devastating and painful. The dad that protected me and had all the answers no longer existed. And now I have become his protector and caregiver. I realized I had entered a new season of life, and I was terrified and sad. I had to dig deep into my soul and pull it together to become the caregiver and protector he needed. I had to figure out how to celebrate my dad in his new season. His new season was not promising, but I had to figure out how to take care, celebrate and cherish him while he was still with me. I didn’t know how to process this; dad was deteriorating fast. His dementia and heart failure were progressing aggressively. My husband and I purchased a ranch style home in preparation to bring him over to live with us. But he wanted to stay in his home and as long as he could. As an only child I was dad’s only caregiver, my stress level was extremely high. My health was compromised as well. I had put on a few pounds my blood pressure was higher than normal, my sugar level had risen, arthritis and migraines were plaguing my health. My doctor suggested I lose weight and exercise on a regular. To make a long story short, June 2016 I contacted a personal trainer, who was also a personal friend of mine, and was encouraged to compete in the Clash of The Titans USA Body Building competition May of 2017 as a goal to weight loss. The daily workouts helped me to manage my stress and anxiety. My dad was assigned a nurse twice a week to check on him and compression wrap his legs due to heart failure. At this point dad’s dementia was rapidly progressing. The most difficult time my dad and I faced was when I had to enforce no driving and took his car keys. He became defiant, angry and gave up. My dad passed away in his sleep from heart failure and dementia in April 2017 at the young age of 76. I was two weeks away from competing and had to decide if I would continue. Quite honestly, preparation for the competition helped me get through the planning of 2 memorial services for my dad. I had one service here for friends since he lived here for over 50 years. And I took his remains back to Louisiana and laid him to rest with my mom. After the service and competition, I felt so empty. I was so use to spending time with dad with doctor visits and taking him everywhere he needed to go. After a year of settling all his affairs, my baby boy was graduating from college, the emptiness remained. I knew there was more to me that what I was doing. I got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association due to my family history of dementia and Alzheimer’s to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise, and the connection to brain health, Alzheimer’s, Dementia and related conditions. As a volunteer community educator for The Alzheimer’s Association, I will help to seek change to raise awareness of early investigation, diagnosis, promote awareness of services for individuals and families dealing with dementia and related conditions. Everything that has transpired made me the person I am today and prepared me for my purpose. Please donate and join me to Walk to End Alzheimer's Saturday September 17, 2022!