North Olympic Peninsula Walk to End Alzheimer’s

What: Event to raise awareness, funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research

When: Saturday, Sept. 17; registration starts at 8 a.m., ceremonies at 9 a.m., walk at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Sequim High School, 601 N. Sequim Ave.

Cost: Free

More information: Contact Katie Lamar at klamar@alz.org or 20- 529-3898

Scary. Sad. Frustrating. And while most days are good, Debbie Brady says, emotions tend to run the gamut for her and her husband Jim, who at 59 is battling Alzheimer’s disease.

“The hardest part is right now,” says Debbie, who lives in Port Angeles and works in Sequim. “He knows when I have to remind him of something. He knows. It’s very sad for him and scary. We’re doing our best to cherish what we have now.

“I love my husband more than life itself.”

The Bradys are among dozens of locals participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, collectively the world’s largest event raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, on Sept. 17 at Sequim High School.

The event is open to the public. As of early this week, 18 teams and 66 participants have signed up with a goal to raise $41,000 at the Sequim event.

Find out more, register or support a team at act.alz.org.

Jim and Debbie Brady have been married for a little more than six years. Early last year, during a checkup with a doctor on the peninsula, physicians noticed Jim had some memory issues and referred him to a Port Townsend doctor. By early December of 2015, the Bradys had a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Debbie, who works full time, suddenly became a full-time caregiver as well. She allocates medications, attends doctor appointments and calls home from work two or three times a day.

“He can function, and days vary, but I’m trying to balance work (and the) bulk of the home tasks as well,” Debbie says. With Jim dealing with a disability he suffered at his work several years ago, his wife also handles the bulk of the couple’s finances as well.

“We tend to be positive and most days are good,” she says. “I try to keep a positive attitude, (but there are) feelings of being overwhelmed, lonely, sad. I can’t do it all. I do my very best.”

She also struggles to find quality time as a couple and time for herself. That’s why she encourages those who know people battling Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia not just with kinds words — which are appreciated — but also kind actions.

“Encouraging words are wonderful but actions (are better),” Debbie says. “Bring a meal. Show up, do some yard work.”

And, she stresses, get educated. Knowing Alzheimer’s becomes very real, she says, when you’re around a family struggling with it.

Jim’s diagnosis is relatively recent, so Debbie is trying to follow her own advice of “educate, educate, educate” by reading up on the disease and other forms of dementia, viewing message boards and making connections. That’s a key reason she formed Team Brady to take part in Saturday’s walk in Sequim.

“To me, (taking part) is to show my support and unity, to get and give support to others that are going through the same thing,” Debbie says.

“Just by seeing you’re not alone, it’s probably going to be a bit emotional and overwhelming.”

For more about the Alzheimer’s Association, see www.alz.org.