We Walk This Together
Marcus & Deborah Anderson
Marcus and I met in our sophomore year of high school. He attended Topeka High School, and I went to Highland Park High School, both in Topeka, KS. Though we went our separate ways for college, when I learned of his injury, I immediately contacted his mother. Not long after, Marcus arrived at my childhood home, wearing his full halo, and we’ve been together ever since. Together, we raised two sons: Christopher (37) and Jon-Marc (29).
We were new empty nesters when Marcus received his diagnosis.
In 2016, Marcus’ employer underwent a massive layoff that resulted in part of the plant closing. During his job search, at 53, I became his “Agent,” helping with phone screens and interviews. As part of this role, I would ask him questions like, “Tell me about your 30-year career in Human Resources?” But I noticed something unusual—he was struggling to answer, which was unlike him. Marcus had always been quick-witted and never at a loss for words.
By April 2017, Marcus was referred to a neuropsychologist, who noted cognitive changes that would prevent him from returning to his career. Given that these changes seemed to appear suddenly, our general physician referred him to a neurologist for further testing.
We Walk This Together
Scott & Jennifer McCullough
My husband was officially diagnosed in March 2024 with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. He had signs for a couple of years prior but an accident in July 2023 in which he fell and badly broke his arm triggered a decline strong enough where I knew he needed to get a diagnosis. He needed surgery to correct the arm with a plate and screws. As most may know, surgery, anesthesia or illnesses can trigger a decline. We saw a neurologist in November and he ordered a lot of tests to rule out other causes. MOCA was 12/30! He had blood tests for vitamin deficiencies,any irregularities seen through labs, to see if he had the APOE4 (he didn’t). He had an EEG to look for seizures(none). Then a CT scan and a PET scan. This pinpointed the diagnosis, along with his strong family history.
His family history consisted of his uncle, his dad, his sister and 2 cousins. All of these people were diagnosed in their early to mid 40s and passed way by mid 50s at the latest. I know his father and his uncle both had their brains donated and autopsied . They both had the amyloid plaques and tau tangles. His uncle also had Lewy bodies. They think his grandfather ( the father to the uncle and dad) may have had it, but he died in the 1950’s and they attributed his issues to effects of fighting in WW2. He had the same kind of problems as his 2 sons.
As of April, he was no longer able to work. He cannot understand multi step processes, keeping on task is difficult, and he gets confused easily. He can still take care of himself, but he can’t make decisions or do anything complicated. He is also easy to get along with, no anger or inappropriateness. He is a people pleaser, so he doesn’t like people being upset with him. He also knows he has the disease and accepts it. He’s seen it a lot in his family, so he knows what it’s like.
We Walk This Together
Matt Oliver & Traci Ward
Matt’s story & background: Matt is a disabled Army Veteran, a father, a fighter, & is an amazing man! He was an animal rescuer and transporter but had to stop due to his Young-Onset Alzheimer’s. He went to a geneticist and was tested/diagnosed with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s. He carries the PSEN1 gene mutation for YOAD. Young-Onset Alzheimer’s runs rampant through his mom’s side of his family. He’s lost his mom (2 possibly 3 of her siblings), his brother, sister, grandma (nine of her siblings), great grandfather, & cousin. He’s fighting this horrible terminal disease right now. He was diagnosed at 41, he is 52 now.
He would have been diagnosed in his 30’s but didn’t have much help or support. But he’s been having signs/symptoms since he was 35 years old. It goes back four plus generations on his mom’s side of his family. His children also have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene. If they do, it’s a 96% chance that they will become symptomatic also. He’s fought & beat Hodgkins Lymphoma, spinal meningitis, has PTSD, had hernia surgery, arthritis, his appendix removed, back/leg/knee problems/disabilities from the military, neuropathy, had brain aneurysm surgery in 2014, tbi’s from jumping in the military & being a civilian contractor overseas, contracted & was treated for TB in the Army, many other things that have happened throughout his life, & now early onset Alzheimers.
He had skin cancer surgery also in 2022. He’s been on both sides as a caregiver for his mom/brother/sister, & now has been diagnosed with this. His mobility, speech, fine motor skills, & other areas have been majorly affected & he has progressed. He developed aphasia a few years ago & can only speak a few words now. I am his full-time caregiver & also a permanently disabled Army Veteran. He served in Kosovo while on active duty in the Army.
He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C in the 82nd Airborne Division multiple times, Hawaii, Germany, & was also a civilian military contractor in the Middle East multiple times. At one point he was even a homeless disabled Veteran. He’s in stage 7 now.
