"Peace Of Mind"

Fundraiser for Alzheimers & Dementia

Bowling For a Cause- Indian Lanes Wyandotte, Mi 

May 14th 6:30 Pizza & Registration Bowling 7:30

Hi Everyone!

Jeff Garner here : )

Some of you may know me and some of you may not. Regardless of whether we’re old friends or will become new friends, I’m thankful that you’re here.

A little about me: I’m 54 yrs old and I’ve been in Real Estate for 4 yrs. I have been happily married for 27 years to Stacey, who is a Registered Nurse. We have 2 children: Our 25 yr. old son, Austin who is finishing his Master’s degree in May, and our 23 yr. old daughter, Sydney who is a Police officer in Kalamazoo.

Why I’m fundraising for AFA: My mother, Sharon Bishop is 78 years old and was in Real Estate for 45 years. Her Dementia diagnosis change all of that. After living with us from November 2020 until October 2021, we had to make the difficult decision to move my mother into an assisted living home. My wife's sister cared for her during the day while we worked, and we cared for her at night. As we lived in a two-story home, there was always a fear of her falling down our steps. As time went on, we witnessed this debilitating disease run its course and we were struggling with the next steps. Our hearts were breaking.

My mother’s ups and downs of clarity and confusion were hitting all-time highs. The biggest hurdle for us as her caregiver's was trying to understand this awful disease. The crushing day came when we felt for her safety and well-being that moving her into a care facility was the best thing we could do for her. But for an individual to accept that is another story. I felt guilty. I’m her son! This is the woman that helped raise me into the man I am… Am I making the right decision??

But I kept coming back to the same conclusion. For everyone's well-being, my wife and I decided we were doing the right thing. "Hardest decision of my Life."

We are so thankful to the staff at Downriver Estate's and the care we believe she is getting was the right choice. We are given peace of mind.

We have to try and understand this disease! I am sure whether diagnosed or not that you all have been affected in one way or another in your life and know someone special that has suffered with this disease!! 1 in 9 individuals over the age of 65 are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, which means 1 in 9 families must make the “hardest decision of their life.”

I got behind Alzheimer's Foundation of America because until you're personally affected with someone special in your life that has Alzheimer's/Dementia it really does not affect you. The fact is we are all going to get old one day and we have to understand it. It is definitely harder on the caregivers then the people that are affected with it. My mom may be unaware of the changes, but I can see the frustration in her eyes when she is trying to get the words out and just can't form a sentence. I can't fix this disease or cure it but if I can bring light or awareness to people about the growing number of cases then maybe something can be done. I have such an appreciation for caregivers. These are the people caring for my mom, your parents, your grandparents, and our elderly and we need to support them, honor them, and reward them.

Think about it! Every little thing you do in life can make a difference in someone else's life. Make it a positive difference. Please donate if you can! I want to start to be the face of downriver and making a difference in this disease.

I’m asking for your support to help me, help AFA, an organization that funds vital services, and care and educational support for families, caretakers, and individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide.

Jeff Garner

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