Did you think only the aged could be hit by Alzheimer? Think again.
To others, the disease strikes much sooner than they ever imagined it would – robbing them of memories, independence, and identity just when they are still getting their children raised or their vocation established. It is known as early onset Alzheimer and it runs as young as your 40s or even 50s.
Only ask Rebecca Luna. She was not expecting her life to spin out of operation as thus, at so early a date.
Two years back, Rebecca Luna was in a flourishing state. She was 48, a mother, in a busy job, a busy lifestyle in which she thrived. However, all that changed when one diagnosis drastically altered her life forever; Early-Onset Alzheimer.
The former hectic mom of two is now publicly documenting her experience-posting emotional videos on Tik Tok, humble updates on her GoFundMe, and a very personal note to Yahoo. And as she tries her best to remain optimistic, Rebecca understands the future.
I have been diagnosed with an unusual type of Alzheimer: Early Onset Alzheimer-s. It is progressive and terminal and causes a shorter (8 years) life expectancy as she stated in her GoFundMe page.
I am trying my best to live a full life, work and take care of myself, but the thing is that I will not be able to do it all the time. With this disease, I will soon lose the chances of working, being independent and supporting myself financially.”
Rebecca is not only seeking money to take care of herself, but also to take care of her children through the uncertainties. Her campaign is already a tear-jerker of how the disease does not only withhold memories, but also independence and identity.
Symptoms are severe when they strike
In hindsight, however, Rebecca indicates that the hints were there – but they could be ignored initially. She explained the absent-mindedness away as the result of stress. This is, until that day in work, when she sat herself at the computer and all went temporary black.
I have been working at my job a couple of years. According to her, one morning she opened the computer and stared at it without knowing what to do, she told Yahoo News.
I did not know how to begin. You would be used to go to work and you say, oh, I need to do this, this, that. I did not know. Nothing, there was nothingness.”
It became a turning point.
The day she nearly lost home
The memory problems did not confine themselves to work soon.
And then things occurred [then] which people could see were presumably [indications of] something happening, Rebecca said.
There was one event that haunts her.
I had been hotting an egg. I put it on the stove, and I went downtown, which is a half-hour walk, said.
I found myself downtown and remembered that I forgot that the stove was left on. I raced back home and smoke filled my home. It literally almost burned my house down, so, that is it.”
It is situations like this, which make the situation of Rebecca urgent. She is losing the possibility to lead an independent life – never to despair.
Maintaining a positive vibe, day by day
Rebecca is trying to remain positive, not only at the request of her friends, but especially her family, even though she knows that her condition will only increase and will one day cause her demise.
She is uncurated, sincere and her TikToks are emotional. And through her GoFundMe, she is making a difference in helping to create awareness of a disease that is so misunderstood, especially when it happens to a person at such a young age.
The resilience of Rebecca against the looming is harrowing yet very encouraging. And she has a very important message to those who care about a person with Alzheimer.
My idea would be to engage them at their own level. Something that I have found quite beneficial to do with my partner is not to question, but to be reminded and to simply believe them. And embrace them. Make them know you love them. But honestly, all I need is a hug by my family, Luna says.
