Cassie Sklarz

A few months ago, a good friend of mine celebrated her birthday by asking her friends to donate their time or their money to the Junior Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association. I chose to attend one of her ‘outreach’ outings to the 80^th St. Residence where we sat, conversed, and painted with residents who have Alzheimer’s disease. Some patients chose to look at art books and discuss what they saw, others attempted their hand at painting, while a few completely showed up the volunteers with their talented artistic abilities – it’s an amazing thing what the mind can remember to do.

The purpose of this outreach experience is to connect with patients while giving them a creative outlet by which to express themselves and to exercise their mental muscles. We converse and get to know these people in the mindset they are in at that moment. Very rarely do they say they remember us from month to month, but often times, we’ll notice they become more comfortable with volunteers with whom they’ve worked before. These connections might be easier for the patients because there is no pressure for them to remember us and no hurt feelings when they don’t. It benefits the patients (and often the volunteers) in ways we have yet to fully understand. I can only hope that painting with these patients is as rewarding for them as it is for me.

I thought becoming a part of Blondes vs. Brunettes would help me contribute to a good cause, get a good work out, and hopefully make some friends. What BvB has actually offered to me is so much more. Being part of BvB has come with countless rewards. For players who are currently experiencing the impacts of Alzheimer’s or dementia of a loved one - we are a support system for each other. We’re making connections with each other that go deeper than the superficial stuff of acquaintances. We’re building relationships and making memories with each other despite that fact that one day we might not remember these faces or recall the good times we had. No one knows what the future will hold for us and that’s why we play.

On a more personal note, my great-Uncle Robbie was the valedictorian of his high school. He earned a full scholarship to RPI and the University of Delaware. He held a long and distinguished career as a chemical engineer until he retired (in good health) in his 70s. One day he went out shopping and had no idea where he was and no idea how to find his way home. While a terrifying circumstance - that was only the beginning of his (and our) scary experiences.

Some of us are playing for loved ones. But some of us are also playing for ourselves. We put a ‘young face’ on this disease, but none of us know what the future holds. No one knows if one day our ‘young faces’ will become the face of a patient inflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Some of us are playing for parents, grandparents, or other loved ones - but some of us are playing for ourselves. Some of us have already been caregivers or supported our parents as they cared for others.  Some of us are playing because we have seen the destruction this disease can bring to a person’s life and the lives of those around them. There is no cure for this disease. There is no way to slow down its impact. We play for awareness, advocacy, support, and research. We play for a cure.

To become involved in the Outreach Program or the Junior Committee with the Alzheimer’s Association of NYC, contact alznycjc.org/outreach.