By Alan ArnetteAlzheimer's2 min read

2 Year Anniversary of Ida Arnette’s Passing from Alzheimer’s

Alan holding a picture of Ida Arnette on the summit of Mt. Elbrus
Alan holding a picture of Ida Arnette on the summit of Mt. Elbrus

It was on August 16, 2009 that my mom Ida Arnette, try died from Alzheimer’s disease. Two years ago.

In that time, my life has changed in ways I could never imagine but more importantly, I have been able to pursue my life work’s of spreading hope, need and urgency about this dreadful disease to millions around the world.

For regular readers of this Blog and those who are following my 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything quest, these figures are familiar:

  • There is no cure
  • Every 70 seconds a new case is diagnosed in the US
  • Over 5 million individuals have Alzheimer in the US
  • Over 25 million have it worldwide
  • Today’s ments only address symptoms and not any underlying cause
  • Early detection is still somewhat unreliable and controversial
  • Spending on research from the US Government is less than $0.01 for every $1 spent on care
  • Family caregivers have higher rates of depression than the general public
  • It costs well over $5,000 a month to care for an individual in a facility often destroying a lifetime of savings

So this is why I do what I do. And:

  • Anyone can get Alzheimer’s regardless of diet or lifestyle
  • It can strike at any age

I often think of what would my mom say about all this. You see, I was never 100% sure she fully understood what was happening to her. I had many direct conversations with her and she would just smile and soon we would drift to another subject. This was before her Alzheimer’ had taken over completely. Maybe it was just how she dealt with it, I don’t know.

But I do know that if we don’t find a cure what my family went through, and what my mother went through; will be repeated over and over and over. This is just unacceptable in the 21st century.

Please take time to learn more about Alzheimer’s. Learn the warning signs, talk to your family if you see any of them. These resources are excellent:

Two Alzheimer’s Blogs helping to educate the world as well are:

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and research funds through my climbing. It is rare to be able to combine a passion with a purpose.

So mom, we will continue to work hard to honor your life and the unfair way it ended. I will continue to climb to the highest peaks of the world and send our message.

Climb On!

Alan

Memories are Everything

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13 thoughts on “2 Year Anniversary of Ida Arnette’s Passing from Alzheimer’s”

  2. It is so hard to believe it has been 2 years. You have certainly made her so proud with you dedication to raising awareness. We had dinner with Terry and David tonight…..she is doing good and has such a wonderful attitude. She has been asked to be on the board for the Mid TN Alzhemier’s board….she is doing it and had been speaking to groups about her journey. I so incredibly proud of her

  5. Alan, you mother would be so honor to see the amazing job you are doing. And very proud also. Memories are everything in life thanks for keepping your mother memories alive. Blessing to you and your family always.

  6. We will never forget our Mom’s and relatives. Keep climbing for Ida, for Anne, for Larry, for Howard, for Samuel, and for all the millions equally missed!

  8. May the remembrance of your mother Ida be a blessing for her family -and for all people, on her Jahrzeit – the anniversary of her passing – and forever. You continue to do for her what she can’t do for herself anymore; and what she in fact lost the ability to do upon the onset of her disease – namely– to think, be aware, and remember…. Your act of lovingkindness in remembering her and your battle against the disease which robbed her of her final years is the highest order of duty/commandment ( Mitzvah). And every time you summit a peak you are several thousand meters closer to her ! Soon – God willing and the creek don’t rise – you will have done all humanly possible to get closer to her, by having summitted ALL the peaks on the Earth.to use YOUR term, CLIMB ON Alan !

  10. Alan.. I have followed every step of your journey and I have thought of your mom as the “anniversary” approached. Its only a short 45 days more and it will be 1 yr for me. Seems like a minute….seems like forever…. since she passed over and my life too has changed in unimaginable ways. I met you and Patti K. and so many others in spreading the word regarding what this disease does to the person, the family……AND… the caregiver. In ‘”talking it up” among my friends, I’ve learned that others have experienced a mother/father with the disease…. but … they never told ME…. and if they would have shared, maybe I would have been better prepared… or…. it would not have taken so much personal research for me to learn and understand…..or what you are doing now by raising funds for research would have already been done and a cure already found. And that brings this all back to YOU…. spreading the word… raising awareness…. finding a cure so other’s dont have to experience the heartbreak. The world is not ready for whats to come if a cure is not found. Climb On !

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