I’m walking in honor of my dad who had Alzheimer’s for 8-10 years. He passed away just 2 days shy of his 74th birthday. He was looking forward to creating some incredible memories in his retirement. Because of this terrible disease, he lost the ability to do most of the things he loved to travel, drive, or visit the Elks.
I’m so sad that my dad didn’t have the opportunity to be the grandpa he wanted to be and that my kids won’t remember what he was like when he was well. I miss being able to talk with him like we used to about cars, life, & travel. This disease has robbed us all of so much.
I walk in hopes that no one else will have to suffer through this disease, so that others will have the retirement they had hoped for, been the grandpa they had wanted to be, and continue to have conversations with their kids about travel, life, and cars, so that no one else will be robbed like we were.
I walk so that we can raise the funds needed to put an end to Alzheimer’s so no one else will have to experience the grief that we have.
Coastal VA Walk
Simi’s Buds Team
Kristen Simonette Messmore, team captain
Alzheimer's Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter 