The Outreach Continues

This came across my Facebook Messages a short while back. I continue to be grateful when hearing how people reacted to and benefited from the documentary ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story. And it in some ways continue to amaze me that it has had such an impact on so many!

I just watched the Alzheimer’s story on HereTV, and want to applaud you. Your dedication was tremendous and a true love story. My partner, also named Gregory passed away last November from a rare disease called AL Amyloidosis. The last year of his life was a special time for me as it brought me closer to him and allowed me to appreciate our 17 years more thoroughly. The last 41 days were spent at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, and I stayed with him daily there with hopes of recovery. Watching him die was precious in a way as it was something only I could experience. Watching the show tonight brought many tears, and I felt I could relate in an odd way. I applaud your strength and dedication to Gregory. We both have been blest. I hope your life is at a happier place.

AN ALZHEIMER’S LOVE STORY

AN ALZHEIMER’S LOVE STORY

By Michael Horvich

Yesterday, at the Evanston Art Center, I made a presentation which included a talk on "Living Well With Alzheimer's," viewing the documentary "ALZHEIMER'S: A Love story," and addressing "The Importance of Art in Dementia Care." 

We were joined by Grace Pelzer talking about Dance Movement and Amanda Ziemba talking about Music Therapy. 

A posthumous show of Gregory's paintings contained 50+ pieces. 

Refreshments were served. The event was attended by +/- 50 people. 

This is a slide show of the presentation made on June 30 at the Evanston Art Center, 
"The Importance of Art in Dementia Care." Photos by Jake Blook and Jan Yourist.

EVANSTON ART CENTER

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2019

1:30—3:00

Good Afternoon. My name is Michael Horvich and I will be spending the next hour or so with you.

I am a little nervous but this should be much easier than sharing the stage with twenty other candidates and trying to convince you to vote for me!

Also, I am so pleased that you have decided to spend today with ME instead of going to the parade downtown. I assure you, however, there will be GAY PRIDE here today as well!

Just a few announcements before we begin:

Regarding Cell Phones: If your daughter or grand-daughter has her baby and calls, answer the phone and let us know so we can celebrate with you.

If you need to un-wrap Candy: That’s OK as long as you share some with me.

Use of photography equipment: No flash but please take photos and send me copies to be shared online.

Use of recording equipment: No need as the text of my presentation is on my web site, along with links to my other past presentations and current projects. www.horvich.com

Bathrooms are behind you to the left.

Feel free to get more refreshments at any time.

After the presentations, be sure to visit the gallery located just behind you.

It features Gregory’s artwork, my poetry volumes. 

There is a bibliography and a number of handouts and a free pen to take home.

Gregory’s photos and my two poetry volumes are for sale and the proceeds will be shared by the Evanston Art Center and the More Than Ever Education Fund as administered by La Casa Norte in Gregory’s memory.

There is a piggy bank in case you want to make a donation to Gregory’s Memorial Education Fund.

AND NOW WE BEGIN

PERSONAL

The story I am about to share with you is a very personal one. 

I’m comfortable with CRYING in front of you, however, it is very difficult to cry … and talk at the same time. 

If I do get choked up, I will pause … take a few deep breaths … and be right back … probably before you even notice I have gone.

TODAY’S PRESENTATION

GREGORY, my husband of over 41 years, was diagnosed with DEMENTIA, most likely ALZHEIMER’S, in the 29th year of our relationship. He was 55 years old. Together, we were on the Dementia Journey for 12 years. 

FIRST I will give a fifteen-minute, BRIEF overview of THAT journey.

Next, we will view a 15-minute documentary called “ALZHEIMER’S: A Love Story.” It has received local, national, & international acclaim at over 90 film festivals and won over 35 awards, the two most prestigious from the Cannes Film Festival.

After that, I will share a series of stories that illustrate “The Importance of Art in Dementia Care.” 

This will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic including Grace Pelzer, Dance/Movement Therapist at the House of Welcome, and Amanda Ziemba, a Neurologic Music Therapist at the Institute for Therapy through the Arts.

We will end today's presentation with a question and answer session.

NOT AN EXPERT

Let me say that I am NOT here today as an EXPERT in the field of Dementia and Alzheimer’s … but rather as someone who has EXPERIENCED it … DIRECTLY and INTENSELY.

ABOUT MICHAEL

Let me tell you a little about me … I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, a Master’s Degree in Education, and an Advanced Certificate in Ed Administration & Supervision.

I have worked with children in regular education as well as children w/special needs.

I created and was an administrator for a Talented and Gifted Education Program.

I taught Junior High Spanish as well as a number of university-level courses & seminars.

Retired for 25 years, I’ve been more than active as an educator, speaker, writer, poet, blogger, actor, opera supernumerary, children’s museum curator, flea circus ringmaster, and Dementia /Alzheimer’s caregiver partner.

ABOUT GREGORY

GREGORY earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut & received his Master’s Degree from Harvard University in Architecture, with Phi Beta Kappa recognition. 

He ran his own high-end architecture & interior design firm and served as architect of record for renovations at the Baha’i National Shrine in Wilmette. 

Gregory was a writer, an artist, was well versed in music and art history, was a concert-level pianist, spoke French, and won many awards for his architecture and interior design skills. 

THE VOCABULARY

Taking a closer look at commonly used Dementia vocabulary, with the hopes of helping to modify it, Gregory was NOT a VICTIM of Alzheimer’s ... but rather a HERO. 

Gregory did not SUFFER from DEMENTIA/ ALZHEIMER’S, but rather LIVED as WELL as possible, refusing to accept the diagnosis as a “DEATH SENTENCE.” 

THE DIAGNOSIS

I NEVER referred to THE diagnosis as HIS but always OUR diagnosis. 

Actually, we were relieved on receiving the diagnosis because now we had an idea of what we had been experiencing and we could prepare for the future … 

… although at the time we did not REALLY understand the nature of the roller coaster ride we would be on until his death. 

MEDICAL ASPECTS

The DOCTORS were able to RULE OUT what was NOT going on, for example, Vitamin B deficiency, small strokes, Parkinson’s, etc.

But being a PROGRESSIVE, INCURABLE disease, what were they REALLY able to do during those EARLY and MIDDLE stages except confirm my existing observations?

They prescribed drugs like ARICEPT and NAMENDA, which are purported to slow down the disease, but how does one measure … “SLOW DOWN” & against what BASELINE? 

NEW SENSE: FAMILY & HOME

I did not spend time MEDICALIZING our experience but worked very hard creating a NEW SENSE OF FAMILY, HOME, and RELATIONSHIP to fit Gregory’s changing needs.

For the most part, he dealt with the disease in his USUAL CALM manner. 

At a certain point later, the Alzheimer’s created a BUFFER which kept him from being fully aware of the changes through which he was going.

PROGRESS

I remember often thinking “If the disease would only STOP PROGRESSING at this point I would be content.” 

But PROGRESS it did

 … and the RESTING, level periods were shorter and the need to re-think and re-establish NORMALCY continued - sometimes on a DAILY basis - sometimes HOURLY … sometimes by the MINUTE.

Being able to monitor and provide for Gregory’s increasing needs, in a RESPECTFUL UNDERSTANDING way, yet not letting him become overly frustrated, was more and more difficult. 

My ROLE in providing for OUR life experiences continued to INCREASE over time. 

My MAIN JOB became making sure Gregory knew WHO he was and WHERE he was. That he was in the RIGHT PLACE doing the RIGHT THING at the RIGHT TIME. 

And if LOST; physically or emotionally, that 

I / WE would ALWAYS FIND each other.

He always KNEW who I was, his LOVE for me, and my PLACE in his life.

He knew he could TRUST me. He knew that HE was SAFE, LOVED, VALUED, and RESPECTED.

NOT A DEATH SENTENCE

The times were not EASY, but we persevered & did a good job! I was able to support him by helping him to be free of DAILY WORRIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, & FEAR. 

I was able to help him COMPENSATE for his changing abilities while always trying to make sure that the RESPECT & COMMUNICATION which defined our relationship never faltered. 

YES, there were times when he became depressed, sad, frustrated, and fearful … but most of the time he was content and happy. 

The SAME was true for me!

Gratefully, I was retired and had all the time in the world for him … and for us.

FAMILY and FRIENDS were available for support but they had lives of their own, lived all over the country, and even though they tried, they couldn’t REALLY understand what I was going through.

We closed Gregory’s business and our time was now our own. We were fortunate that our financial situation was good. 

I made sure that our daily life was FULL and RICH and MEANINGFUL. 

We enjoyed our condo & living in a very active Downtown Evanston, Il.  

We entertained, enjoyed family and friends in our home, ate out, cooked together, went to opera and theater events, and we were buoyed up by our pets with their unconditional love.

We traveled in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. 

We were able to simplify our life … only keeping the most meaningful parts. 

We continued to be COMPASSIONATE with EACH OTHER, OURSELF, and THOSE AROUND US.

Our life was filled with much LAUGHTER as well as many TEARS; JOY, as well as SORROW. 

Above all, it was filled with LOVE and RESPECT and TRUST. 

LIEBERMAN CENTER

Gregory was at home for 10+ of his years living with dementia. 

His MEDICAL and PHYSICAL needs became so great during his last year and a half, that short of turning our home into a fully staffed 24/7 HOSPITAL WARD, I was not able to provide for his needs. 

I found an EXCELLENT memory care facility, The Lieberman Center, 10 minutes from home and I could easily visit every day sometimes twice. 

I felt some GUILT at having to move Gregory to a memory care facility. 

However, HIS new sense of community and belonging, the safe clean environment, the delicious meals, the medical support, and the presence of many people around him were all POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES of my decision and contributed to his well-being. 

I played an ACTIVE ROLE in determining Gregory’s health care & the care facility always RESPECTED my wishes as well as helping me to understand best practices. 

HOSPICE

Hospice joined our team and worked hand in hand with the memory center for the last 9 months of Gregory’s life. Their support was wonderful! 

They not only took good care of Gregory but also helped me to understand the trajectory of the Alzheimer’s and the process of dying.

PREPARING TO DIE

One day in early October 2015, I received a call from Hospice informing me that it looked like Gregory was preparing himself to die. 

He was NON-RESPONSIVE for three days. The night before he died, I crawled onto the narrow bed next to him. 

I hugged him and whispered, “Leave when you are ready. Don’t worry about me. I will miss you, but I will be OK.”

If he needed it … I gave him PERMISSION to die. I had done this several times before.

Now here is what I call the MIRACLE, and Gregory’s FINAL GIFT to me. 

I kissed him goodbye on his open mouth three times. On the third kiss, having been non-responsive for three days, in a COMA, Gregory opened his eyes briefly and kissed me back. 

On the next day, October 4, 2015, Gregory died. 

GRIEF

GREAT LOVE means GREAT GRIEF. I will always grieve at some level the loss of the love of my life, but that LOVE carries me forward as I continue to live a meaningful, useful life, and as I support others facing similar experiences.

FINAL COMMENTS

Gregory and my journey with Dementia was not easy, but we SUCCEEDED in getting through it with DIGNITY. 

We were not ALWAYS at our best ... but done with LOVE, KINDNESS, RESPECT UNDERSTANDING, and FORGIVENESS it was a time of RENEWED LOVE, QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, & many UNEXPECTED GIFTS. 

When Gregory and my adventure began, & still to this day; STIGMA, SOCIAL DEATH, and SILENCE surround the lives of many of those living w/Dementia. 

The MISUNDERSTANDINGS echo through the hallways of hospitals, medical school lecture rooms, textbooks and even possibly your own living room!

This is where our STORIES come in. They can rewrite the narrative. Stories can bring back the HUMANITY of a person with dementia AND their family. 

In facing and talking about death and illness, people find ways to HEALING. In this sense, healing does not necessarily mean curing a disease nor avoiding death …

…but rather creating a SHARED SOCIAL MEANING, UNDERSTANDING, and certain level of COMFORT.

It helps us GRIEVE and helps those of us still here to continue on.

It gives us the feeling that we are not alone, because … IN LIFE … WE … ARE … NOT …ALONE.    YOU … ARE … NOT ALONE.  

THANK YOU for allowing me to celebrate Gregory and my story with you today. 

THE DOCUMENTARY

Towards the end of Gregory’s life, he and I were the subjects of a documentary, ALZHEIMER’S: A Love Story which we are about to see.

It follows Gregory and me for a brief time towards the end of his life and was done in March 2015 by the son of Gregory’s college roommate and best friend.

Gabe, the son, created the documentary as part of the requirements for one of his college courses in film making at Chapman University, Dodge School of Media Arts in Orange, CA.

It has been accepted to over 90 film festivals locally, nationally, and worldwide. We have won over 35 awards, the most prestigious of which were two from the American Pavilion of the Cannes Film Festival.

The message, which I believe is a beautiful one, takes Gregory and my 41-year love relationship and our 12 years living with Alzheimer’s, and distills it into a moving 15-minute documentary. 

I think you will agree as you experience the story … that the same-sex couple issue … and the Alzheimer’s issue … almost seem to disappear.

What emerges is a story of ANY two people who love each other very much … and what happens to that love when any catastrophic disease strikes. 

Now, let’s watch. (For BLOG readers, you can rent the documentary on AMAZON for $2.99.

One Week From Tomorrow

https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/…/importance-art-dementia…

FREE ADMISSION

A Story: Living Well with Dementia/Alzheimer’s
A Documentary: Alzheimer’s: A Love Story
A Presentation: Art’s Importance in Dementia Care
A Panel Discussion
Question-Answer Session
Refreshments
An Art Show: Gregory Maire Posthumous Art Show/Sale

JOIN US?

On Alaska Airlines for Pride Month

Now you can watch our documentary ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story, for free on your next @AlaskaAirlines flight on the @Frameline channel in June and July! Celebrate #Pride 35,000 feet in the air with a total of 18 fresh, bold, and diverse LGBTQ+ films from Frameline Distribution on Alaska Air. 

TRAILER:

https://www.facebook.com/frameline/videos/1845308722237924/

  HOLD THE DATE FOR THIS FREE EVENT  

Catch Up (While not allowed on Chicago Vienna Dogs ... is Allowed on New York Sabrette's Dogs

Thirteen (13) days since my last post. When Gregory was still alive, especially towards the end of his journey with Dementia (most likely Alzheimer's,) I would write every day on the Alzheimer's BLOG and sometimes several times. I guess the urgency of communicating with someone, anyone; the need to process and document kept me motivated to write.

Now, almost three years after his death (I use the word death rather than "passing" because it makes it more real to me,) my life has settled into a calmer, somewhat simpler, more compassionate, more generous, and mindful way of living.

For the most part, I only do what I want to do rather than what I have to do. I have very few in any concerns, fears, or for that matter unrealistic expectations (at least based on my opinion of what expectations might be :-)

I have plenty of time to work on my numerous projects including constantly refining the condo. I have come to think of "Refining the Condo" as an art form. Make it efficient yet beautiful, make it simple yet complex, display as many of my collections as possible while still having people say, "Your place is so peaceful."

I am working in earnest on the "book" for my in-progress musical called "ALZHEIMER'S: A Musical Love Story." It is a painful process but after several months of writer's block, I now add to it every day. I really believe that the world is ready for a musical like this.

It has three threads woven together in a few hours of entertainment that hopefully, people will actually pay to see, as well as be moved, and experience, and learn! Thread One: A beautiful love story. Thread Two: Living well with Alzheimer's. Thread three: Gay Liberation (since Gregory and I, in our 41 years together, experienced all of the contemporary milestones (and millstones) in the LGBTQ+ community which brought us to this point in history.

I also have an opera, "ALZHEIMER'S: The Opera," up my sleeve. I continue to work on my memoirs, trying to reduce the number of hardback pages from 1,000 to a more reasonable number of pages which someone might actually want to buy and read! There is currently nothing on the market dealing with Alzheimer's and the LGBTQ community.

I have been and will continue to make presentations to the public which tell Gregory and my story of living well with Dementia. It always seems to be engaging to my audiences and well received. Q and A's after the presentations are spontaneous and keep me on my toes, hopefully helping those who ask the questions.

Here is a list of past presentations, future presentations, and ones in the work.

DONE

1. University of Chicago Middle School Students, the Lieberman Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 
2. United Methodist Church of LaGrange Illinois
3. Sherman Plaza Book and Social Club
4. NorthShore University Health Care System Division of Palliative Care and Hospice
5. Dementia Alliance International out of Australia
6. Pritzker School of Medicine - Medical Students Interest Group
7. Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Business
8. Great Lakes Alzheimer’s Association
9. Battle Creek Congregational Church. 
10. Pride Film & Plays “An Evening with Michael and his Alzheimer’s Love Story”
11. Pritzker School of Medicine II - Medical Students Interest Group
12. 33rd Annual Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference - Chicago
13. Proud Seniors Greece - May 2018 - Athens
14. Teepa Snow Online Newsletter July 2018

FUTURE

1. Evanston Art Center - June 2019
2. Center on Halsted - Senior Voice Group - Sept 6, 2018
3. Lori La Bay - “Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio.” - Sept 11 - Live, Sept 13 Re-broadcast
4. Keynote speaker and break out session leader for MAYO Clinic and MN-MD Conference - March 2, 2019 - Minneapolis, MN

POSSIBLE

1. Evanston Unitarian Church 
2. Article in Anthology
3. JT and his documentary on Alzheimer’s
4. KAREFIRST
5. Intentional Caregiving Inc
6. DePaul University
7. Northwestern University's Buddy Program for Dementia
8. Rush Presbyterian St Luke

My recent trip to NYC after many many years was a "trip." I got to spend a wonderful lunch with a friend from college whom I have not seen nor talked to in some 30-35 years. We still had a lot in common and many wonderful memories. We also had some not so wonderful memories as we remembered all the friends we lost to HIV/AIDS during the heat of the epidemic of what was called "The Gay Disease!"

Really enjoyed the musicals "Dear Evan Hanson" and "The Band Visits." Enjoyed the legitimate theater "Boys in the Band" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." 

Enjoyed a slice of "New York Pizza" (flat crust) and a hot dog (definitely not Vienna Kosher) from a street vendor. Visited the new Whitney Museum of American Art and the elevated, deserted elevated railroad now changed into a wonderful elevated park that traverses several miles of Manhattan.

Especially enjoyed, and this was the reason for my going to NYC in the first place: the 35th-anniversary reunion concert of "Pump Boys and Dinettes Concert" at Feinstein's Under 54 Supper Club. 

John, Gregory's college roommate and best friend, was one of the composers and stared on Broadway 35 years ago in "Pump Boys and Dinettes." It is a wonderful "feel good" musical that deals with living in a small town, life, love, and Highway 57. Four men play piano, guitar, bass, and electric guitar while they pump gas and repair cars;  two women keep them in tow and serve pie at the attached dinette.

Here is a video from 35 years ago when the show had been nominated for a Tony:

And here is a video from the reunion concert in which I tip the waitresses the same way Gregory and I did some 35 years earlier when we saw the production on New York:

It was wonderful visiting with John whose family became OUR friends as John married Moreen and had three children: Gabe, Grace, and Amelia. It was also good visiting with Grace, now full-grown and in college, who came to NYC from Los Angeles with her dad.

Gabe, by the way, was one of the people who made the documentary ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story possible. The documentary was part of his coursework at Chapman University, Dodge School of Media Arts, in Orange, California. It went on to be accepted to over 90 film festivals worldwide and won over 35 awards including two from the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival!

My cats, Emma and Gigi, continue to give me great love, affection, and joy as well as cat hair and dirty liter boxes. They both just turned 4 years old.

Emma

Gigi

What a lot about me but since it is my BLOG I can do what I want to! Hahaha, I guess you can understand why while I have been writing, it has been project-based and not necessarily showing up on this BLOG.

Here is a link to a recent article which was published in "Positive Care in Dementia Online Newsletter." which has a subscription of 20,000 readers. Will be interesting to see if there is any response to the article. Click here to go to "ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story" (Opens in a new window.)

Pride Film and Plays

My “One Man Show” at Pride Film and Plays was wonderful. They first featured the documentary in their gay film festival when it came out and we won “Audience Favorite.” I have since become friends with the company and they bit at my proposal to do a one man show with a brief slide show of Gregory and me from when we first met until shortly before he died, a 30 minute presentation on “Living Well with Alzheimer’s” a Q and A, and then fellowship with wine and cheese in the lobby. Approximately 30 people attended the event.

Pride Film & Plays Main Stage

My "Evening with Michael and his Alzheimer's Love Story" set

Athens, Greece

The documentary, ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story will be part of an evening program including a 10 minute video welcome I sent them, our documentary with subtitles, and then a panel of important writers, doctors, psychiatrists, etc. discussing the needs of senior LGBTQ. They are very excited to be doing this.

Here is a link to a magazine article in Athens, Greece: http://t-zine.gr/i-proud-seniors-parousiazoun-to-polyvravevmeno-altschaimer-mia-istoria-agapis/

Click here to see the magazine article. (Opens in a new window)

Mirrors and Movies

Watching an interview with Maggie Smith on YouTube. When asked if she likes watching herself on the screen or on TV, she replied, "I usually do not, unless I am forced to at a ceremony or such. I hate it. I mean mirrors are tricky enough."

My thoughts exactly as I sit here in Mexico, working a little each morning preparing for a number of appearances with the "ALHEIMER's: A Love Story" documentary. It is always disconcerting to see my face, large than life on a theater screen talking about my experiences during the journey Gregory and I traveled for 12 years before his death on October 4, 2015.

I will be "performing" my "one man show." The evening begins while the audience is being seated with a slide show of all the festival logos(90) to which the documentary has been accepted. The slide show is backed with"anticipatory" music. After a brief introduction, a three minute slide show of Gregory and I, in smiling while embraced photographs from when we first met until shortly before his death. This slide show is backed with a piano version of "Some Day He'll Come Along, The Man I Love."

Next I tell a 20-30 minute story about Gregory and my living with Alzheimer's. It is a raw, honest,  moving story that does not have a happy ending but is uplifting and hopeful in the power of love, creativity, and willpower. 

A "Question/Answer" follows and the evening ends with an informal get-together of the audience members and Michael over wine and cheese. 

The "Evening with Michael and his Alzheimer's Love Story" will take place on April 17 at Pride Film and Plays on Broadway Avenue in Chicago at 7:30. Tickets are not yet on sale. I will broadcast more information when we are closer to the day.

I will also be presenting the show for Evanston's New Studio Salon on the second Tuesday in October at the Evanston Arts Center on Central Street. More on this later as well.

A submission to the 33rd Annual Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) Convention and to Northwestern Cognitive, Alzheimer’s Disease Center Conference have been made and I wait to hear from them. These presentations will be in conference format and will fill the time allotted. The documentary will most likely not be shown but a link to watch it will be provided.

Also, I am in contact with Proud Seniors Greece, an LGBTQ organization for seniors out of Athens, Greece. Besides showing the documentary, they have invited me to present in Athens in May. If I attend, this presentation will look like the "one man show."

An Evening with Michael and his Alzheimer's Love Story

Many exciting things are in the works for the documentary "ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story.

First the documentary's creators have graduated and moved on to exciting next adventures in their studies and in their lives. (More on this in a future post.)

Next: "An Evening with Michael and his Alzheimer's love story"

I have put together what I am calling a "ONE MAN SHOW" which features: 1) a three minute slide show of Gregory and me (Michael) from our early times until shortly before he died, 2) a half hour presentation talking about "living well with Dementia/Alzheimer's," 3) viewing the documentary, 4) a "Q and A" session, and 5) wine, cheese, and informal interactions. It runs approximately 90 minutes without intermission.

The show will be taking place during 2018 for: 1) Pride Film and Plays on April 17, 2) Full Blossom Lotus Yoga Studio sometime during April (in conjunction with the More Than Ever Education Fund founded in Gregory's memory,) 3) a follow up visit to the University of Chicago Pritzker Medical School Students, 4) Evanston's New Studio Salon the second Tuesday in October, and 5) "Proud Senior's Greece" requested a viewing of the documenatry at a local theater in Athens with me making an online introduction. There is a possibility that I will go to Greece to attend the event in person. (Details not yet in place.)

Keep visiting for more news.

Pritzker School of Medicine Presentation

Yesterday I spoke with a group of 20 medical students at an evening dinner session. My presentation "An Intimate Look at Alzheimer's" took 30 minutes and was followed by the award-winning documentary "Alzheimer's: A Love Story."

The students' comments were thoughtful, insightful, and caring, I felt good about sharing Gregory and my story with the hopes that having a personal view of the disease would help them in the future when dealing with similar issues in their practice.

One of the students sent this e-mail after the presentation:

Hello Mr. Horvich,

This is Pari, from the Geriatrics Interest Group - Emily and I just wanted to let you know how very much we appreciate your taking the time to come to Pritzker this evening. It was a privilege to get a glimpse of your and Mr. Maire's journey with Alzheimer's, and the mix of serious and humorous elements in the talk struck just the right note. I know that several of us - myself included - were moved to tears at different points, and we are so grateful for your generosity in sharing this intensely personal story with us. Presentations like yours will help us to become more sensitive, compassionate physicians; this reminder of the importance of personal stories and remaining attuned to patients' humanity was a uniquely fitting way to close our first year of medical school. Again, thank you, and best wishes for a restful summer--

Emily and Pari