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How can it be that a year has passed since Mom died?

After a two decades-long descent into dementia, dependence and debilitation, Dorothy is free from Alzheimer’s, but her survivors aren’t. Alzheimer’s continues to devastate us, infecting our every memory of this beautiful, beloved person.

As if this long, slow goodbye weren’t awful enough, the disease’s aftereffects are nth degree atrocious. When Mom died on Jan. 26, 2011, part of me was grateful that her suffering was over; the other part had no idea how ours would continue.

I have since vowed I will do what I can to help others avoid the physical, financial and psychological trauma that is Alzheimer’s.

How?

Two words: aggressive advocacy.

A year ago on Jan. 4, Alzheimer’s activists were instrumental in moving a bitterly divided, bipartisan Congress to unanimously pass the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA). More than 50,000 emails, nearly 10,000 phone calls, and 1,000-plus meetings led legislators to agree the only way to overcome the escalating Alzheimer’s crisis is to create a coordinated national plan of action. A draft of said strategy awaits your input at www.napa.alz.org.

While online there, contact Rep. Cory Gardner and Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, and let them know they mustn’t allow either the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act or the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act to languish for another session. Their immediate co-sponsorship and our collective voices will make a difference in 2012. The millions living and dying with Alzheimer’s can’t wait for another anniversary to pass.

Brenda Rader Mross

Ambassador, Alzheimer’s Association Northern Colorado Chapter