First post here, but I know a lot of your stories well. I lost my mom at age 57 from YOAD. I was just 29, and my oldest daughter was just three weeks old at the time.

My dad, wife, aunt, and I shared the caregiving responsibilities, and as many of you know, we went through hell for the four years after her diagnosis. Looking back at it, we feel she probably showed signs in her late 30s.

I was so moved by what happened that I made it a goal to make a difference in the lives of YOAD caregivers.

I won't post the link here, as I don't want to spam, but I recently started a foundation dedicated to caring for YOAD caregivers. Our goal is to meet the physical, emotional, and financial needs of those dealing with this nasty disease.

I'm posting this for a few reasons.

1. To let all of you dealing with this disease know that we're here. We can't do much financially right now, but even if you need to talk, etc - we're here.

2. To seek help. I need a board member. Somebody who had an association with this disease, and knows what the caregivers and the families are dealing with. Always looking for volunteers, too.

3. To get involved. I'm hoping to be back here often to chat and learn.

Sorry for the length of this post. I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.

Thanks, and I look forward to getting to know you all!

Sorry Sir! I try hard to protect myself and my assets and fearfull to discuss finances with a person I've met on the web.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin_A_CO:
I'm posting this for a few reasons.

1. To let all of you dealing with this disease know that we're here. We can't do much financially right now, but even if you need to talk, etc - we're here.

2. To seek help. I need a board member. Somebody who had an association with this disease, and knows what the caregivers and the families are dealing with. Always looking for volunteers, too.

3. To get involved. I'm hoping to be back here often to chat and learn.

Sorry for the length of this post. I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.

Thanks, and I look forward to getting to know you all!

Kevin, as Tom so wisely pointed out, one shouldn't discuss finances with a stranger on the Internet. Especially when that stranger presents with an agenda. Truth is, after reading this post, I expect you to solicit us for money. Which is not allowable under forum rules.

You've posted 3 entries before ever getting an answer, which is a pattern most often followed by people looking to exploit us. You challenge our credulity when you say you "don't want to spam."

Now, if you stop advertising yourself and start engaging appropriately with us, you'll show that our initial concerns are wrong.

I stopped reading after your statement that you didn't want to spam. My friend and I have a saying we made up: "It may not be a scam, but it certainly is a scheme!" I don't know if you're about a scam, but you certainly have a scheme. And this is a board for us to talk amongst ourselves, not to listen to schemes.

Iris L.

Wow...

I must admit that I'm pretty bothered by the replies. Scam? Scheme? Discussing your finances? I don't think any of that applies to my post. And I specifically said we're NOT doing anything financially right now, and offered somebody to talk to.

I didn't even post the link to our site, as a way to make sure it didn't come across as spam. And soliciting you for money? Not in a million years. The caregivers are the people I'm setting out to help.

Yeah, I said we are always looking for volunteers...shame on me, I guess?

I posted this twice, to make sure I was getting to the right people. My third post discussed my mom's death.

I get that people are careful these days, and rightfully so, but I didn't ask anybody for anything. I'm a former caregiver who watched his mom die from this disease while we struggled to find help.

Just at a loss right now.

Hi Kevin_A_CO,

It looks like it's a bit late to welcome you here.

I think we are somewhat gun shy because at times there are those that try to exploit people.

Just last night someone put up a tag entitled Men's Health on every forum. It turned out to be a link to a supplier for Viagra, condoms and such.

Sorry if we jumped the gun and are skeptical.

On my part, I did not get the idea you were asking for money.

Maybe if we get to know you a little better through your experiences with AD, we will feel more at ease.

I hope you will come back to chat, learn and share. I believe I have found the most informative people here to help.

Be brave, don't be scared off.

quote:

Originally posted by BeckyP:
Hi Kevin_A_CO,

It looks like it's a bit late to welcome you here.

I think we are somewhat gun shy because at times there are those that try to exploit people.

Just last night someone put up a tag entitled Men's Health on every forum. It turned out to be a link to a supplier for Viagra, condoms and such.

Sorry if we jumped the gun and are skeptical.

On my part, I did not get the idea you were asking for money.

Maybe if we get to know you a little better through your experiences with AD, we will feel more at ease.

I hope you will come back to chat, learn and share. I believe I have found the most informative people here to help.

Be brave, don't be scared off.

Thanks! Last thing I wanted to do was come across like one of "those" people, so I'm glad to hear somebody say they didn't take it that way.

I know how awful it is seeing YOAD go to work on a loved one every day, and I know how tough it was, even as a part time caregiver, to make it through. Just hoping to help in some way.

Kevin_A_CO

Perhaps you should visit the "Caregivers" forum. These are the folks that could use your input and help!

We are the "sufferers" of EOAD. But, if you believe you can help, well, I think we're all ears!

If anybody else disagrees, speak up!
M