Legalities

I took care of my "Auntie" for five years and I understand. Yet in retrospect, being her caregiver, advocate and best friend during that time was one of the great blessings in my life. It was harder than hell, but it was a blessing and changed me from the inside out.

I sat with her the last five days of her life and sang her hymns and prayed for her and she passed in peace. Thank God, at least she had a "good ending."

Rose Thornton

I understand what Mrs. O'Connors is going through. I have to bring my with to work with me eveyday. We pray that the government begin some serius research to cure this terrible illness.
As a cargiver, I will pray for you and your family. Until they find a cure, prayer is all we have. Thank God for prayer, because that is what sustains us.

My mothe-in-law was a beautiful Southern lady when Alheimer's struck her. Hers came on almost over night. She went from being such a neat lady to one that put her clothes on backwards. Before Alheimer's she watched her diet and exercised daily. Then after the big "A" she would eat the little saltine crackers with the wrapper still on. She lived for 8 years with the disease we watched it gradually take her life. First she forgot how to eat, then speak, then walk then finally bedridden almost comotose. I would like to commend Sandra Day O'Conner for the work she's doing for this wonderful cause. It not only claims the lives of the victims, but their families also.

Justice O'Connor is a true American hero and I hope she can speak out more for those like myself in the trenches.

I believe I read of Justice O'Connor's husband affliction or saw it on a cable station many months ago when she told the story of his life in the center. All very sad. When Ronald Reagan announced he had this horrible disease was when we as a country should have begun pouring money into medical research to cure it. If Alzeimers doesn't get you, other mental conditions will, in most cases.

I am a caregiver for my father who has Alzheimer's. Thank you Mrs. O'Connor for all you are doing to help make everyone aware of how sad a disease Alzheimer's is. My father has lived with us for two year's now and each day is a challenge. As I watch him get progressively worse, it is sad to know there is nothing I can do for him except to love him and care for him the best way we know how. I must also say that without my loving and helpful husband I would never be able to care for my father. Thank you for sharing your story with us and maybe someday soon there will be a cure for Alzheimer's. But until then, we will continue to care for the one's we love!

My mother was probably one of the longest living Alzheimers patients in the United States. She passed away in 2006 after suffering from the disease since her early fifties. She was involved in a National Institute of Health ("NIH") study which tracked her disease for over 25 years. A NIH neurologist once said that the reason my mother was able to survive so long with the disease was because she had a large brain. My mother was a research scientist herself who worked for the Federal Government in the Washington, DC area until she retired. In her late 50s, she dedicated her life to being a patient in research studies to help find a cure for others. My mother, Elsie Alvarez Kelley, was always wanting to help others and I think this may have been her greatest gift to the world--using herself as a "ginea pig" to find a cure. In addition, three of her four daughters have also participated in research studies to help find a cure. Upon her passing, her brain was donated to Harvard Univerity "Brain Institute" for science research. Our hearts are with Sandra Day O'Conner and her family, who like our family, have been dealing with the monster known as Alzheimers for years.

My grandfather had it. I remember my parents loading blanks into his gun. I remember my father having to show him where the bathroom in his own home was. I remember him talking about things that happened 40 years before and thinking they just happened. I remember him no knowing who we were most of the time. My Mother-in-law's neighbor had it. I can remember him banging on the back door in the middle of the night as he was lost and scared. This disease is sad and it will one day be cured. I don't think there is a lack of national effort here. It's just not an easy problem to solve. But I will pray for the day that it is.

I know how she feels, I have watched my mother become a 2 yr. old but is really a woman that is ninety three. She spits her pills out and can't do anything for herself but eat and wheel her chair.I hate seeing my mother this way but there is no meds or answers. Mom has been a skilled nursing home for 6years and I go everyday to see her afraid that one day she won't know my sister or myself.WHY is there no cure or hope this terrible disease will be gone?

My wife is 56 yrs old and has been diagnosed with this disease three years ago. It is a horrible disease which affects all family members. I am the caregiver. I wish I could speak at Capital Hill to let them know how difficult it is to take care of someone so young and the diiferent problems one faces when they are taking care of a younger vicitim. She was on Aricept an Namenda but neither of these medications slowed down this disease. She was recently taken off this medication. She on other meds because of the side affects of this disease one being anxiety. I recently retired to take care of her we do not have adult day care or support groups. It has been very difficult.

I, too, was primary caregiver for my mother. I moved home to care for her after her diagnosis and subsequently the three years she spent in a dedicated Alzheimer's facility. She was a wonderful woman and I feel privileged to have been able to care for her. Caregivers do not go unscathed, however, and there are still many days I feel guilty about some things I might have done better, and also nightmares about some of the horrible times when she fell, cried, became depressed, etc. The experience changes you in many ways. I am hopeful we can eventually overcome this disease. The suffering is horrific for the victim and families. I applaud anyone who is willing to begin a dialogue, especially with our Government. Unfortunately, most people don't get invited to GMA or Larry King to discuss issues such as this, so THANK YOU SANDRA!

Justice O'Connor is speaking for her cheerleader, sharing the facts and emotional drain of caring for someone who's cognitively dead but physically alive. Suddenly our friends, family and co-workers don't know what the did before and what made them who they were vanishes and cognitive death occurs. We should do whatever we can to make sure death only comes once for everyone's sake.

My mother just passed away at 72 years old on May 2nd of this absolutely horrible disease. I saw a beautiful woman transformed into a pale, think, 6 year old child. When she was dying, she was crying out saying to me ' help me mommy'. Very sad

My granny had Alzheimers. We thought it was sudden onset, the result of surgery. However, after her death (10 long years of sufferring for her), we found pages and pages where she had wrote her name, address, and even the alphabet. She knew she was forgetting and desperately trying to hold on. My granny was one of the first women in arkansas to be a principal or hold a masters degree. She was stricken so severely that within 2 years she couldn't talk and only recognized her children and husband. I pray for a cure and hope that stem cell research is allowed. I fear this disease for myself and my family.

My heart goes out to the O'Connor family. My father-in-law has this awful disease. He was a jolly, happy irishman, he was also a scientist and in his early 70's became afflicted with this - I'm so glad I got to know him before this, but it is so sad that his 18 grandkids won't get that chance to really know what a great person he was. He is in nursing care now and has progressed to just babbling and it is sooo sad. My husband is in his late 40's and I have to say - when he forgets anything my heart stops and I fear that someday he too will be in the same position as his father - I hope that by then some progress is made. It's just the saddest cruelest thing, it robs you of the person's very core, but leaves a shell. I feel the worst for my mother-in-law, she's a hard working strong lady - but this is not what she had envisioned either after raising 7 kids.

My mother died 69 years young from this horrible disease. Looking back, we realized that she was showing signs of Alzheimer's at least 5 years prior, but we didn't realize what was happening to her. Her disease began with compulsive cleaning of the kitchen sink and always needing to go somewhere. Many people think this disease is just forgetfulness...it is much more that that. My Mother became violent while in a Nursing Home, biting and hitting probably due to being in pain that she could not communicate. The sad result of this was that the Nursing Home could no longer keep her, and with a lack of facilities, she had to be committed to a State Hospital. This process required her to go before a Judge which devastated my Dad. With GOD's grace, my mother died after 11 months. But I believe the emotional drain on my Dad as her caregiver, resulted in his death one year after hers. There are many facets of this disease; the disease itself, the effects on caregivers and the availability of facilities to care for all victims of this disease.

There is a promising new drug in Phase III clinical trials called bapineuzumab or AAB-001 which family members might want to investigate for their afflicted loved ones.

My father and his sister both were victims of Alzheimer's. They're both gone now, but it is simply a tragedy to see someone who has been so vital and full of vigor their entire life to lose normal, every day abilities such as reading, using the phone, tieing their shoes. The disease truly steals people from their families.

My father has it and seeing him at a avanced stage like that really hurts me. I would like for our kids to see himm when he was a strong and alive person.

Thanks so much for the comments aboutAlzheimers.My husband is 55 years old and was dignoised with this disease at the age of 53.It is geating harder everyday,but by the grace of God and the help from family and friends we can stand by my husband till the end.May God keep his protecting hand on each and every family that is going thru this horrible disease.

We were impressed with Sandra Day O'Connor's warm, heartfelt and motivating discussion of her personal experiences with her beloved husband. Her influence and leadership in the cause of Alzheimer's disease research is infectious in its best definition. We pledge to focus on Alzheimer's campaigns and walks.

I hate to have to say this but somebody has to: personal circumstances have nothing to do with her professional role (and responsibility) as a Justice of the Supreme Court and defender of the Constitution, and her performance was (in my respectful, admittedly subjective, admittedly personal opinion) woeful in that capacity. She was vague, inconsistent, and frustratingly oblique in nearly all her rulings. As Justice Scalia said, scornfully: She could not be taken seriously.

Everyone goes through suffering. Who hasn't had a close relative die? Hands up those who haven't seen a death in the family?

The title of this blog is "LEGALITIES", not "OPRAH'S SHOCKING PERSONAL CONFESSIONS".

I would have assumed this blog would address O'Conner's (questionable?) judicial legacy.

I suppose a sob story gets more hits.

We need to find a cure for Alzheimer's.I saw my dad take care of my mother ever day for eight years. Only God could have given my dad the strength to make it.It was so hard to lose mom that way.We lost dad one year after mom to lung cancer.

Maybe she should have thought before voting Bush into office in 2000 then. He's singlehandedly done more to set back Alzheimer's research than any other person alive.

I have been caring for my 92 years young mom for two years who has ALZ. It is so sad to watch the deterioration and there are very limited things that you can do(including medicines) to comfort them. It is extremely hard work to be the sole caregiver 24/7. Caregivers often are caught off guard with the extremely unpredictable behavior---it is sad, scary, depressing, and thought provoking. Yet, you are happy to be there for your loved one and give them the love and care that is needed. Keeping an eye on your own health as a caregiver is essential---just stop in your tracks and take the time that is necessary to relieve anxiety, dispare, and see your health care professional. PRAY OFTEN.

I know exactly what Sandra Day O'Connor means. Through my experience of volunteering at various nursing homes, adult day cares, and hospitals with people who have Alzheimer's and many other different health disorders, Alzheimer's is a serious disease. I have seen many peoples' ability to do things they used to be able to do deteriate due to Alzheimer's. This disease has certainly hurt many family relationships. It's so sad. I am hoping that in the future we can find a cure to stop this horrible disease.

THANK YOU Justice Sandra Day O'Connor!! For standing up and talking to Congress about Alzeheimer's Disease. I have a step mom who has gradually turned from her perfect appearance, to one who doesn't bathe daily, comb her hair, or change clothing. She tries to get into our conversations, but only takes a turn into her past, and reliving times she lived in her dad's pub,the Bombing of England, or the Nun's reprimanding her during her school days..To eat a meal out,she orders her usual reuben sandwich,which the waitress already knows she will order.Then she tears a napkin in half, places her silverware from side to side, till she finds a spot she likes. Asks for a to go box and puts her sandwich and fries into the box to bring to me. (Because I needed it ) God love her.....
I pray that God hears our prayers, as my father tries to keep her happy. But with his heart condition, and diabetes, he is not taking proper care of himself. I fear for his health! We have talked of putting things into place of what and where to place her. BUT, he is so worried about if the state will take everything he owns from him, he can't think of anything else.
I hope that Congress will SEE the URGENCY for not only the Victims, but also the Caregivers and their Families !!

Alzheimer's robs a person of their dignity. It is a genetic disorder, but there are things that we can do to reduce our risks. I watch very little t.v. I read, do crosswords, eat smart, exercise, do not smoke or drink alcohol. I suspect that prescribed meds are also a problem for people.

I saw a study recently that showed eating oily fish like tuna and salmon can help slow down this disease. While this article talks more about prevention, I have been shown a good result even though someone may already be diagnosed. My heart goes out to those struggling as caregivers and to those with the disease.

Believe in Jesus Christ!
He is the comforter, and the Divine
Healer. He Healed many people, he can heal you too! Alzheimers's is no match for almighty God. Get down on your knees and cry out to him!

Does statin drugs increase alzheimers? I sure felt like how my mom appears, after taking statins. My mom is a beautiful, loving person who has alheimers. I don't think she remebers that she has it. It has been very trying through the years with this disease. She's been mean, she runs away, she can't complete sentences, and I believe she can't read or tell time anymore, but I love her so. Could there be a link between alzheimers and syphillis? Just wondering because that attacks the brain too.

Reading about Ms. O'Connor's husband I felt a pull at my heart.

It seems everyone you know now has a family member with the horrible sickness that rob's the person of everything that makes them special.

It is a horrible sickness! I remember seeing my Dad on his 70th birthday...I asked him to dance and he recoiled "saying he does not dance with strangers, just his wife!"

I ran out of the room in tears that my own father did not recognize me! He died 3 years ago.

Thinking about it my grandmother's generation out of seven brother's and sisters four had Alzheimer three have passed and the last is not doing well.

I now have two aunts diagnoised with early stages and I have at least 3 girlfriends going thru it with their parents.

Something needs to be done, to find a cure for the this! It is like a living death!

I watched as my soon to be mother-in-law cared for her three young children and her 45 year old husband with alzheimers.

By the time we put him in the nursing home there were the bouts of cepsis, and other near death occurrances calling to the nursing home in the middle of the night. My wife and I visited him on our wedding day. He couldn't recognize his daughter. The family made it through those tough times. Somoe of the youngest kids have very little recollection of their father.

We have lost two of his brothers and a sister to early on-set AD. Now it 2008 and it's another generations turn as my 44 year old wife struggle to keep her cognitive abilities. She is the first of her siblings to present sympton and certainly not the last.

I cry for her every day. Although I strive to embrace who she is, and cannot help but yearn for the person she was. Every day is full of uncertainty.

I thank God for the advances made in the past 20 years. An I hope to God that many more are made, so we can spend more presious time together.

It is time that we commit the resources necessary to rid ourselves of this cruel disease that creates so much sufferring for so many people.

My mother had alzheimers and yes she has passed but it is amazing to me that when people in high place get effected by the disease that is when they feel its a need to call on congress to put more money to work to get a cure for it.its like they dont care unless it happens to them it really makes me sad.just would like to sat Mrs O'Connor that I,am sorry for your husband but where were you 20 years ago do you see what I,am saying why did,nt you want to put more money to work then to find a cure because you planly did,nt care because it did,nt effect you then it really just makes me sad the way people think today if it dont effect them then who cares but now it does and you want congress to do more now in hopes that maybe they will find a cure early for your husband what ashame what ashame just how I feel and I do know what you have gone thru and are going thru... MWR....