Peggy and Tom first met 40 years ago after her dental assistant insisted on setting them up.
“I’m going to introduce you to my neighbor. He’s really cute,” she told Peggy.
“So, one day they did, and Tom and I have been together every day since then,” reminisced Peggy.
Tom was 57 when he first got his Alzheimer’s diagnosis back in 2011. The diagnosis came after he enjoyed a 30-year career with the CIA and was halfway through a 10-year job as a contractor before retirement.
Although the two have had their ups and downs with the disease, Tom has been passionate about finding a cure.
“He understood it was not going to be for him, I mean it would take a miracle to be able to affect him, but he wanted to do that,” Peggy said. So, they went on several trips to Washington D.C. from their home in Virginia, and Tom did multiple studies at Georgetown Research Center including tests that included spinal taps, PET scans and more.
The couple began doing at least one Alzheimer’s-related thing a week.
“We would have a meeting once a month on a Wednesday, twice a month we sang with the forgetful friends chorus and on the 4th of the month we would go to the memory café. All of which he thoroughly enjoyed and made lots of friends,” Peggy said. “He loves to get out and socialize, he loves music, so we stayed very active with that.”
After moving to Florida, Peggy and Tom wanted to say involved with the Association and the important work to raise awareness and funds for all those impacted by the disease. On December 21, both will be joining others impacted by Alzheimer’s for the Winter Solstice Luminary Event.
“It is the perfect time to honor loved ones who have been affected by Alzheimer’s or other dementia,” said Angela McAuley, regional leader for the Alzheimer’s Association Florida chapters. “I hope you can join us to illuminate a path towards a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementias.”
The virtual event starts at 6 p.m. and registration is free. RSVP for the Winter Solstice Luminary Ceremony.
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