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The Long Journey to my diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer's

1/23/2014

14 Comments

 
My name is Gary Bricker. I have been diagnosed with “early (or “young”) onset” Alzheimer’s disease.  I am, or more correctly I used to be, a transactional Real Estate Attorney, and as such I primarily created commercial real estate documents such as leases, purchase agreements, construction contracts and the like.  I never worked for a law firm and always worked for companies that owned and/or leased a great deal of real estate due to the needs of their core business, or were companies solely in the real estate business.  Now I can no longer do any legal work and I miss being able to do so. In fact I lost my last two jobs for large companies, one of which was with a national company where I was a Vice President and Corporate Real Estate Counsel. I once was very good at my profession and it filled me with satisfaction to help companies/people get their real estate needs fulfilled.  The realization that this disease was the reason that I lost my last two jobs came hard, but it also answered the question as to why I had struggled so much in those jobs and ultimately lost them.

I am lucky in so many ways, however, mainly because I married a wonderful woman – my wife Lisa.  She and I have begun this new chapter in our lives, dealing with this insidious disease that I have. In a way it has been a blessing to have been diagnosed, because it answered many questions – prior to the diagnosis we had no explanation for my forgetfulness. I thought I might have Attention Deficit Disorder and Lisa thought maybe I was just not paying attention to what was said, etc. because I couldn’t always remember things she talked to me about. Now we have the answer and we have learned so much about Alzheimer’s and other types of Memory Loss, which has helped us to cope with the disease.

As a result of my diagnosis, and the realization that this disease currently has no cure and ends in death, we wish to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  Unless a cure is found, this disease is going to decimate the Baby Boomer generation – and frankly already has a strangle hold on many of us due to income loss, cost of care and other expenses. Lisa and I decided to create AlzAcrossAmerica – a non-profit organization aimed at creating greater awareness of this disease – to let people that are affected by Alzheimer’s and other memory loss problems know that they are not alone and there is support available to them and the care-partners that assist and support them. We look forward to hearing your stories as we share our stories with you on this journey called "life".
GB

14 Comments
Andrea fox
1/23/2014 02:26:34 pm

Lisa & Gary - this I great and such worthwhile effort. Great photo of the both of you. Love you!

Reply
Hilary Tellesen
1/23/2014 11:29:06 pm

I loved reading this. Thank you! Your and Lisa's courage and love are an inspiration.

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Hilary link
1/28/2014 11:13:28 pm

Thank you so much HiIlary for your encouraging words, it is so good to hear from you. Hope you, Dylan and the kids are doing well. Hugs and love to you all.
We will keep you "posted" :-)
Love,
Lisa and Gary

Reply
gary
2/12/2014 06:35:20 am

Thanks Hillary!! This frigging disease i a challenge for both of us, and we're trying to make a difference if we can...

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Cindy Gross
1/24/2014 05:05:51 am

I always believed that until you personally experience something, you cannot grasp it's effects on you and the ones closest to you. And once something affects you, you can either ignore it or face it head on. Lisa and Gary, you have always been the ones to fall in the latter camp.

You two are working to make lemonade again out of the lemons life has handed you. It is an honor to know you both and support you on the long journey across America you are starting to create more awareness on Alzheimer's.

I will be following you as you raise awareness locally and eventually globally.

Let me know how I can help!
Cindy
.

Reply
Lori Kleiman
1/24/2014 09:13:09 am

Lisa and Gary,
I am in awe of you two. Courageous and honest, you are, and will be touching lives as you share your experience.
I'm so proud to know you.
Love
Lori

Reply
Toni Cobbs
1/24/2014 03:40:09 pm

I applaud your courage Gary and admire you both for your dedication to finding a solution. Love you!

Reply
Toni link
1/28/2014 11:15:17 pm

Toni,
Thank you! Miss you, let's talk soon. My cell is 805-895-1310
Can't wait to catch up with you.
Love and hugs,
Lisa and Gary

Reply
Toni link
1/28/2014 11:15:24 pm

Toni,
Thank you! Miss you, let's talk soon. My cell is 805-895-1310
Can't wait to catch up with you.
Love and hugs,
Lisa and Gary

Reply
Gary
2/12/2014 06:30:14 am

Thank you Toni - it's a journey!!

Louise Fredericks
1/27/2014 02:28:40 am

Gray & Lisa,
You are doing a wonderful thing to educate all of us in your ongoing life. I didn't realize how wide spread this is. I wish you all the luck in the world that a cure can be found for you and so many others. I support you both in your love of the others in your new life of understanding.
Love you,
Louise

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Reva Tift link
2/23/2014 12:58:51 am

Please keep writing_your thoughts and feelings need to be heard.

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Marsha Baumert
6/3/2015 12:58:03 am

Thank you for sharing your story. I know Gary from high school. He was my boyfriend all those many, many years ago! Gary, I am stunned and not sure what to say. Just know that you and Lisa are in my prayers for peace and comfort during this most difficult journey. Yesterday was my 66th birthday and today is yours (06/03/15). I have been searching for you since our 2008 class reunion. I wanted to be able to wish you Happy Birthday each year since then. I believe you were still working with Andy at that time. I was able to send you bday wishes in '09, but after that time your email no longer worked. I did find you on FB, but it seemed you had made so little contact with it and friends, I thought you were being very private and I didn't want to interfere with your privacy. Now knowing what challenges you both have been going thru, I have a better understanding. I hope you get this message, since I notice this post is from 2014. I put in a friend request on your FB page and am hoping to hear from you both soon. Please keep up your valiant fight! Love, Marsha McIlrath Baumert

Reply
Gary Bricker link
6/3/2015 12:56:48 pm

Marsha - so glad you got in contact with me! We had some good times, didn't we!? I'm going to jump on Facebook to answer your friend request in a few moments. All the best to you!

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    Picture

    Gary & Lisa Bricker

    Gary was diagnosed in 2012 at age 63 with Mild Cognitive Impairment/ Early Onset Alzheimer's. Lisa was 55.   The 8 year journey to his diagnosis was a stream of frustrating experiences and tremendous loss. Gary and Lisa live in Redondo Beach, California and credit friends, family and the Alzheimer's Association with providing them a lifeline to finding purpose once again.          

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