I recently had the privilege to talk with David Kramer about his mission to empower others to live well with Alzheimer’s disease.
After two years of extensive testing, David was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at the young age of 56.
Prior to his diagnosis, David was a physician for more than 30 years during which time he specialized in emergency medicine and was a published author.
Since his diagnosis, he’s been an active advocate for the disease and he runs the Facebook page, Living Well with Alzheimer’s where his mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.
David has been maintaining an active and social life. In fact, he recently returned from a cruise and a trip to Disney World.
Watch the conversation below:
Or listen on the go:
(36 minutes)
Download the MP3 by clicking the icon on the player above.
You can also read my complete article here: Cruising and Living Well with Alzheimer’s Disease.
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Mike, thank you for this web site.
You are welcome Zelda.
Thanks for this site..I have done a lot of advocating since dx’d in 2011…at age 56…with Alz Assoc, guest speaker at the Forum Dinner in DC 2014, a magazine article, spoke at NAPA, did several videos for TransAmerica with my daughter, and many more.
I have reached a point to not do much, but still strongly believe in ‘Living Well’
Thanks for your idea to start this site as well as all the hard work you must do to maintain it
Terry, thank you for sharing and your kind words. I’m happy to hear that you embrace Living Well – I know it’s not easy.
This is a powerful article by a woman in Australia who has early onset dementia. Kate Swaffer has a blog and website to advocate for those with dementia.
http://kateswaffer.com/2014/06/05/20-things-not-to-say-or-do-to-a-person-with-dementia/
Thank you for sharing Deborah. Kate is a wonderful and strong person. She is one of today’s heroes, who like Dave, are paving the way for tomorrow’s people with dementia. As a society, we have so much to learn from our friends with dementia, we just need to stop and listen. 🙂
Hi Mike and Deborah,
Mike – great piece and wonderful website! I know of David Kramer through the “To Whom I May Concern” video (and project) led by Maureen Matthews and team of folks dedicated to raising the voices of people with dementia. Thanks for drawing attention to David; though I don’t know him personally, I admire both his and his wife’s speaking out.
Deborah – I recently stumbled on the comments you left back in September on the Atlas of Caregiving website, regarding a meeting “where ‘Senators’ were asking people in their districts to give input on the Alzheimer’s Plan for America proposals.” You went on to powerfully communicate how desperate caregivers are for respite NOW. I admire your forthrightness and totally agree with what you wrote; to that end, I’m working to raise the voice of caregivers by sharing their stories on the weekly podcast series I host and produce, which you can check out here: http://www.agewyz.com.
If either of you wants to come on the show, shoot me an email: jana.panarites@gmail.com. I love to include your voices!
Thank you Jana for your very nice comments. It looks like you are doing some wonderful things at Agewyz 🙂 I’ve downloaded an episode, and I plan to be in touch. Thanks