Oct. 27, 2025

Stories in Our Steps: Walk to End Alzheimer's Recap

Stories in Our Steps: Walk to End Alzheimer's Recap

The Promenade at Piedmont Park turned into a surge of color, courage, and hope at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted by the Atlanta chapter of the Alzheimer's Association—and we brought our cameras and team to capture it all. From the first cheers to the last hug, we connected with caregivers, researchers, and supporters who refuse to let this disease define our futures. As a media sponsor, Parenting Up! dug into practical takeaways and lifted the voices that make this movement real.

We spoke with a variety of advocates - caregivers and families honoring parents and partners, and supporters who showed up with empathy even without a personal connection. We spoke with Dr. Levey of Emory’s research team who laid out why deep sleep, daily movement, and social connection can reduce risk, how accurate blood tests are transforming early detection, and why new medications that slow progression mark a true turning point. We also talk candidly about clinical trials—why enrollment lags far behind cancer, what’s at stake for prevention studies, and how a strong trial culture can accelerate breakthroughs for everyone.

Throughout the day, small moments carry big meaning: the flower garden of colors, a little girl holding the white flower that symbolizes the first survivor, and the reminder that empowerment programs help people live well with ability, not just diagnosis. The crowd’s energy makes one thing clear—joy is a strategy, and community is a form of care. If you’re a caregiver, a person living with dementia, or an ally ready to do something that matters, this conversation brings both hope and marching orders.

Walk with us, learn with us, and help move the science forward—subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and consider joining a clinical trial or local chapter event. Your step might be the one that brings the white flower into bloom.

Visit Alz.org for more information and check us out at parentingup.com. 

Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles 

Producer: Mia Hall

Videographer/Editor: Annelise Udoye

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!

00:00 - At The Walk To End Alzheimer’s

00:51 - Humor And Heart For Caregivers

02:14 - Why Prevention Starts With Sleep

06:29 - Media Sponsor Moments And Crowd Energy

06:56 - Onstage: Progress, Hope, And Prevention

08:11 - Sleep Research And Lifestyle Habits

09:16 - Why Clinical Trials Matter

10:31 - Early Detection And New Medicines

11:33 - Empowerment Programs For Living Well

14:07 - Caregiver Voices And A Memoir

17:15 - Flowers Of Remembrance And Hope

20:16 - A Field Of Services And Support

22:16 - The White Flower And First Survivor

24:19 - Joy, Diversity, And Collective Strength

28:13 - Call For Community And Action

31:16 - Tears, Resilience, And Closing Thanks

WEBVTT

00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:05.679
I am standing in Piedmont Park at the world's largest Alzheimer's event.

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Why is it the largest?

00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:16.719
It's because the walk to end Alzheimer's happens all over the country at the same time, more or less, right?

00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:19.920
Today, we are actually a media sponsor.

00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:23.199
Jay Smiles is out there raising awareness.

00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:28.320
She reaches a community of caregivers that we may not be able to reach on our own.

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So the more awareness we can raise, the better.

00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:38.799
On top of that, you know, caregiving and Alzheimer's and dementia can be so heavy.

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And she really shows people that like you can you can laugh.

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You can still live, you can still laugh, and you can still enjoy life as much as you can, and that's just so important.

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It's such an important part of caregiving.

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So one of the things that's most important, we think, is that it's estimated about 40-45% of Alzheimer's disease must be preventable.

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And the way we can prevent it is by having people do things that are going to promote healthy behaviors.

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Sleep is one of the most important things.

00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:24.879
Getting a good night's sleep, slow-weight sleep, enhances our memory, and clears out those toxic amyloid flaps and neurofibrillar candles in our brain.

00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:27.120
So sleep is really critical.

00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:37.040
Parenting up caregiving adventures with comedian Jay Smiles is the intense journey of unexpectedly being fully responsible for my mama.

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For over a decade, I've been chipping away at the unknown, advocating for her, and pushing Alzheimer's awareness on anyone and anything with a heartbeat.

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That's why I died, don't die.

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Don't be ready for the joke.

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Caregiver newbies, OGs, and village members just willing to prop up a caregiver.

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You are in the right place.

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Hi, this is ready.

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I hope you enjoy my daughter's podcast.

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Is that okay?

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Today's supporter shout out is two people.

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Libby and Leslie of Alzheimer's Association of the Rockin' Georgia chapter.

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Jay Smiles is out there raising awareness.

00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:37.280
She reaches a community of caregivers that we may not be able to reach on our own.

00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:40.080
So the more awareness we can raise, the better.

00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:47.520
On top of that, you know, caregiving and Alzheimer's and dementia can be so heavy.

00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:52.400
And she really shows people that like you can you can laugh.

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You can still live, you can still laugh, and you can still enjoy life as much as you can, and that's just so important.

00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:02.960
It's such an important part of caregiving.

00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:14.800
So it's just really cool that she is in this middle where she gets it and she is raising awareness and she's just showing caregivers like it's okay and you're not alone.

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She's amazing.

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First of all, her spirit and her energy, of course, is amazing.

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Um, she did one of our pre-interviews, which is a big um benefit to our sponsors who get to have some airtime.

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And um one of the pre-interviews that we did with our research tent in with Emory University, and that was so impactful.

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Um, the entire crowd had stopped to hear what what they were saying, and it was just really, really great.

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Not to mention she's you know jumping in around and interacting with the crowd all day.

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It was amazing.

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We're really thankful to have her.

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Now you know you want to get a support shout out too.

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I know you do, I know you do, and you should know what to do.

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Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or Instagram.

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We are at parenting up everywhere.

00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:09.439
What's up, family?

00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:16.560
It's your girl Jay Smile, and I am standing in PowerPark at the world's largest Alzheimer's event.

00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:17.920
Why is it the largest?

00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:27.759
It's because the walk-to-in Alzheimer's happened all over the country at the same time, more or less, right?

00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:31.040
Today, we are actually a media sponsor.

00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:33.759
Community.

00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:37.279
We got a kid and all kinds of fancy stuff.

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We got giveaways.

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So many people trying to fight and beat this disease.

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We met people living with what they call young Alzheimer's.

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We met people who have family members that die from Alzheimer's on both sides.

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Can you imagine that?

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Anyway, we're out here.

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Today is about joy, awareness, and advocacy.

00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:08.560
The joy is that we have a community that is willing to fight this thing.

00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:09.519
Yes.

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Good morning.

00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:22.240
Good morning, like we're gonna take a few minutes to bring information of the biggest person here.

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Thank you, Ben.

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Thank you.

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Good morning, all cyber spider team.

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The weather is on our side, and right now that makes me feel good.

00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:45.040
I'm very smiling of the parenting of the podcast.

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We are one of the media sponsors.

00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:53.839
My mother was the most early sponsors about 14 years ago.

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I'm a very caregiver, and because of it, I started a podcast to support family caregivers.

00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:05.519
So what we say is humor.

00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:17.120
We lead with benefits, and no matter what, until there's a cure, we can lock arms and support each other across the globe.

00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:20.319
So one time for the all-size association.

00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:29.360
Now we want to hear some real data and science and stuff.

00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:30.079
Dr.

00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:38.160
is with every stuff about you know legends and things and dad.

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How are you?

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I am great, and I'm so happy to be here.

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Thank you, Jay.

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This is fabulous.

00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.120
What a great turnout.

00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:51.439
Um, you want to hear about ending Alzheimer's disease?

00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:54.319
Who's gonna walk today to end this disease?

00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:59.279
That's our goal.

00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:10.800
We certainly have a lot of caregiving to do and caregiving research to do, um, but we're on the walk on the walk to end Alzheimer's disease, and we have been making so much progress over the last two years.

00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:14.000
We have come hundreds of miles getting closer.

00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:20.959
Some of the research that's ongoing now is actually testing things that might be able to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:29.680
And we'll know in the next year or two whether some of the things that we're now treating patients with are actually going to be effective for preventing the disease.

00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.120
So we're getting there.

00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:33.680
I love that so much.

00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:48.959
Can you give us a little information with some of the research that's excited about there's there's a lot that I'm excited about.

00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:54.800
Um, right here behind me, we have our sleep research team and who's out here.

00:07:55.120 --> 00:08:04.560
So one of the things that's most important, we think, is that it's estimated about 40-45% of Alzheimer's might be preventable.

00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:10.319
And the way we can prevent it is by having people do things that are going to promote healthy behavior.

00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.439
Sleep is one of the most important things.

00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:25.600
Getting a good night's sleep, low-weight sleep, enhances our memory, and clears out those toxic amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary cannabis in our brain.

00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:28.079
So sleep is really critical.

00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:30.160
How do you get good sleep?

00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:39.039
You do things to promote good sleep, like exercise, have a good diet, have good social interactions during the day.

00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:46.559
And so those are the types of healthy lifestyles that are gonna end Alzheimer's disease for many, many people.

00:08:47.200 --> 00:09:00.159
Oh my goodness, as a family caregiver, I'm urged in sleep losing if I try to walk out the house.

00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:06.559
Okay, all right, we would have a lot of people.

00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:10.480
But thank you for giving me our marketing orders.

00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:19.679
Now, we know there's a lot of research and trials medication might work.

00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:25.360
Can you explain to us why those trials really are important?

00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:28.879
Um, thank you for bringing that up.

00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:36.879
We have so many ideas because of the advances of the research, how medications can be more effective.

00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:46.639
The biggest problem is getting people to volunteer to test medications to prevent the disease, to slow the disease.

00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.879
And so clinical trials and research is absolutely critical.

00:09:51.039 --> 00:10:04.639
If you look at the progress that's happened in fighting cancer, which we know has been spectacular, there are ten times the number of clinical trials and the culture is that people with cancer get into a clinical trial.

00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:12.879
We need to make that happen for Alzheimer's disease and related to methods because we can go faster on our you know race for a cure.

00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:13.759
Thank you.

00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:33.519
One is early detection.

00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:44.480
Our ability to help rest on identifying people in early stages, not waiting for them to go through a difficult journey of years and stress trying to find a diagnosis.

00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:48.000
We now have a blood test, which is very accurate.

00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:55.360
So what a transformation because we can think about screening people and finding the disease as early as it starts.

00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:59.279
Second thing is we can do something with new medications.

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Over the last couple years, we've had our first medicines that can slow down the progress of the disease.

00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.200
That is huge.

00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:10.559
That is the first step on our factor appearance.

00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.519
Did you all hear blood tests?

00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:18.720
I would like a round of applause for whoever made it that simple.

00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:24.799
I could probably almost test my knew it, but I probably could.

00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:35.919
Now, lastly, what can you give us as caregivers and those who've been diagnosed?

00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:38.960
That could be a thing today.

00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.399
Some of the big model.

00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:58.000
We have this phenomenal program called the Cognitive Empowerment Program, and it helps educate people about the lifestyle changes they can make to embrace other abilities.

00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:02.879
Having a disease like Alzheimer's disease doesn't mean you're robbed of all abilities.

00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:15.679
It's about how do we empower people, take advantage of the gifts that we have, the social interactions, our families, our friends, and keep ourselves as healthy as possible and enjoy the best quality of life.

00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.519
So there are things we can do.

00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:22.080
We need to get people engaged, diagnosed, and get them the services they need.

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.679
That's it.

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:26.480
You heard from the best of the best.

00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.679
Let's give a round of applause for Dr.

00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:34.559
Lee, for Aerie, for the all kinds of associations.

00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:37.120
Together, we can beat this.

00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.639
You're welcome.

00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.039
Thank you.

00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:49.759
One of the things that we need to do.

00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:08.639
I am the PRC.

00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:12.399
Don't have me to see my hurt.

00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.279
She's got great work.

00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:18.879
I'm not doing this morning and all this for people living in the future.

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:21.440
You know, just trying to do some good in the world.

00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.799
You've been doing good, baby.

00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.720
Look, she is playing herself now.

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:28.480
She does so much research for us and our community.

00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.679
So I got this all the time.

00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:32.159
That's why we got so much.

00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.279
She's at Emery.

00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:35.279
She's a PhD, okay?

00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.080
I'm not.

00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:40.399
I'm a bullshit talker, but I'm good at it.

00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.200
We need the real mix with the research, right?

00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:44.639
Absolutely, sweetheart.

00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.000
Wait, better now.

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.279
Are you kidding me?

00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.159
I know, right?

00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.200
Wait, is that still on?

00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:54.480
Is that still on?

00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:55.919
Yeah, hey.

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:58.000
This is the guy.

00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:00.320
He's been on the podcast already.

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.639
Dan, look, it rhyme with turkey.

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:06.080
I know you it's G-O-E-R-K-E.

00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.360
It's a mess.

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.639
Tell the name of your book.

00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:09.440
You're beautiful.

00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:11.679
Unforgettable, unbelievable.

00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:18.480
I wrote a memoir of my caretaking journey with my wife, Denise, who was diagnosed when she was just 56.

00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:21.120
Anyway, it's out there.

00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:21.919
Buy it.

00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:23.279
It's on Amazon.

00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:27.200
This lady is wonderful, an amazing lady.

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.559
Thank you for what you do.

00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.679
Same here.

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:35.440
And listen, this part is, it's, I'm gonna say it, and don't y'all judge.

00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.759
But let me tell you how badass he is.

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:49.679
His wife has been an angel for years, and he is still trying to fight with us in this community to get um a cure.

00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.240
Yeah.

00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:53.200
So once a caregiver, always a caregiver, right, Dan?

00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.080
Absolutely.

00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.360
You are awesome.

00:14:55.919 --> 00:15:00.720
Dan was at the recording of my first comedy special.

00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.919
So we go together.

00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.759
We go together, go together.

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.039
All right.

00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:15.039
In the dementia Alzheimer's community, yellow means you're a caregiver or a supporter of caregivers.

00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:16.480
So what up, though?

00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.240
All my yellow people.

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.960
Thank you for being a yellow person.

00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.279
I'm Jay Smiles.

00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.960
I'm one of the media sponsors here.

00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.120
Okay.

00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.960
Have Parenting Up Podcast.

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.159
Nice to meet you.

00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.759
Ann Chicago.

00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.240
Okay.

00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.000
Hey, how you doing?

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:34.320
It's a pleasure.

00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:36.159
But I did see you out at the tent.

00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:36.559
Yep.

00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:36.879
Yep.

00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.200
Yep.

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.240
How is awesome?

00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:40.480
Come on, my dad.

00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:43.600
But in the early stages of awesome and just before time.

00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:47.840
But she kinda, you know, has been like the forerun.

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.159
Yeah.

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:52.559
At the forefront of, hey, let's do this, let's donate, and let's come out and walk.

00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:56.159
And so I'm trying to piggyback on her when it comes to attending me.

00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:58.399
So I'm part of her team.

00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.799
We are supporting my room.

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.759
We gotta have team Ali.

00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:06.399
I'll be on her team next year.

00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.519
Why not?

00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.120
That's right.

00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.080
I'm on her team right now.

00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:12.399
And parenting up, we can merge and do everything.

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.919
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.799
I love it.

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.000
It's a pleasure to meet you all.

00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.360
Thank you.

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.960
14 years.

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.320
14 years.

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:24.080
And she bless her heart.

00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:28.320
She's not talking much anymore, but she can still chew.

00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.919
She can walk-ish.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.279
And if I call her name, she looks around.

00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:34.240
And that's all.

00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:38.879
I just need if I say mama and she does like this, that's good enough.

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:41.679
I'm like, she knows that's my voice.

00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:45.120
All right, good to see y'all again.

00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.399
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.360
What's your name, honey?

00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:47.919
Taylor.

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.480
Taylor.

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:48.879
Yes.

00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.399
What's up with the shirt?

00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:56.639
So I was looking for a shirt to kind of like represent how I feel, and that's how I feel, and I'm doing this for my mom.

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.200
Okay.

00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.000
Your mom?

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.960
Yeah, my mother, yeah.

00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.799
She is she currently battling the disease?

00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.279
Yeah, she is.

00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:01.759
She is.

00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.080
Okay.

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:02.879
How old is she?

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:06.720
She will be 65 in two weeks.

00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.160
Actually, a week and a half.

00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.920
She was diagnosed kind of early.

00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:11.920
Uh, maybe like a year, two years.

00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.119
Actually, two, three years ago.

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.359
Yeah.

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.680
Okay.

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:13.920
Yeah.

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:24.240
And for anybody, if you can't see it, it's F U, and then I love that the ribbon for Alzheimer's is on the side.

00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.920
It's on the side horizontal.

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.079
So it's really he's saying fuck Alzheimer's.

00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.839
Without putting a C in the K.

00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.319
Right, right.

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.440
Where'd you get that from?

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.720
Actually, Amazon.

00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.880
Okay, listen, sometimes Amazon works.

00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.920
Yeah, sometimes it does.

00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:38.480
It does.

00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:40.880
But so this is your first time doing the walk?

00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.920
It's my first time, yes.

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:46.240
Well, please join us on the Parents and Up Podcast.

00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:48.319
I would love to have you on the podcast.

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.880
I've been caring for my mom for 14 years.

00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:51.279
Okay.

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:55.440
And the Parents and Up Podcast, our 10 is right over there where you can see the big banners.

00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:55.839
Okay.

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.079
We got some giveaways.

00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.400
Okay.

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:58.960
I'll be over here.

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:09.039
Uh a power pack, but most importantly, we use humor and levity to keep family caregivers like me and you uplifted.

00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.839
I appreciate that.

00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.160
Thank you.

00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:10.720
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.039
Thank you.

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:11.680
Nice to meet you.

00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:12.640
Nice to meet you as well.

00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.279
All right.

00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:16.000
Listen, we're out here.

00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.119
We're out here.

00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:21.039
How has Alzheimer's impacted you?

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:26.400
So I've not had any direct effect other than I forget where I put my phone and my keys.

00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:28.000
So who knows what's happening?

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.720
Honey, listen.

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:32.480
So I'm just walking to support any and all.

00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.359
I love that.

00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.920
And thank you.

00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:34.960
Absolutely.

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:38.079
So, like I said earlier, I'm with the Parenting Up Podcast.

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:40.480
My mom has had Alzheimer's for 14 years.

00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:48.319
And my whole goal is to support family caregivers with humor and leave with levity.

00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:48.720
Yes.

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.200
This disease totally sucks.

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:55.759
And until there's a cure, we can at least be able to lean on each other.

00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.720
Absolutely.

00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:00.240
So I am supporting my siblings.

00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:03.519
My uh sister is deceased.

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:06.000
Um, you know, effects of Alzheimer's.

00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:11.440
My brother is currently in the uh late stages of Alzheimer's.

00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:18.240
So I know the disease well firsthand from being a caregiver and that support system.

00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:22.319
So that's why my shirt says I'll remember for you.

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.880
Oh, I love that.

00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.559
I'll remember for you.

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.640
Okay, so my name is Sophia.

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:31.200
I am walking in support.

00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:35.599
I don't have any direct descendants of um Alzheimer's.

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:47.200
Yes, but I am a Mahjong enthusiast, and um Mahjong is proven by science to prevent or prolong the effects of Alzheimer's.

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:50.000
It builds memory and things of that nature.

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:59.920
So I am hoping to get more people that look like me, black and brown people, into the game because it is a proven fact that it keeps Alzheimer's away.

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.279
I want you to teach me.

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.160
Did you live in Land?

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.720
Absolutely.

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.720
Yes, we have a group, Black Girls Mahjong 2.

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:14.799
We'll have all y'all, you and your group will be on the podcast.

00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:19.039
Look, at least two or three times for us to get an idea of what the hell we're doing.

00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.640
That mahjong, it scares me.

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:24.000
You'll love it once you learn how to play, girl.

00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:24.960
Well, I believe.

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.400
We have a group as well.

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:28.480
We have two different groups where one.

00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:28.720
Okay.

00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.920
Sisters play mahjong too.

00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.079
Sisters mahjong.

00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.680
Sisters mahjong too.

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:42.720
Please go to the tent, put that on, and on the back of your piece of paper, put mahjong.

00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:42.960
Okay.

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.160
That'll help me remember.

00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.480
Absolutely.

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.519
I can't wait.

00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:55.279
We want to welcome you here to the walk to end Alzheimer's.

00:20:55.359 --> 00:21:01.920
And let me tell you, we are deeply honored to be here with you today on behalf of the Alzheimer's Associations for the World.

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:09.119
Of course, this is a part of my heart because my grandfather, who will be 90 years old in December, is actually, you know, battling this disease.

00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.319
He's has Alzheimer's.

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:12.000
So I'm his primary caretaker.

00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:25.680
And when I tell you it has been a journey, so when I reached out to the Alzheimer's Association and we promoted on the show, when we took calls from my millions of listeners, and I didn't know that people like me were actually going through this.

00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:30.880
And so I felt like I'm not alone in this journey because I thought that I was.

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.400
And thank God that I'm not.

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:38.559
So once again, I'm walking for my grandfather, uh, my great-grandmother, and also my grandmother who is uh battling with this disease.

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:45.119
I'm here to advocate for my father, his sister, their father, and all of your family.

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:53.119
My father passed away in March of this year, and his sister passed away last month when my grandfather was diagnosed in the late 90s.

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.559
It was a death sentence.

00:21:55.759 --> 00:22:00.880
Vividly remember we didn't talk about it, we didn't know what to do about it, and uh, there was a lot of confusion.

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:04.559
I wasn't aware of the association, I wasn't aware of the support network.

00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:07.680
I was young and confused, and my father was diagnosed.

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:13.359
I found this association, I found strength, I found wisdom, and I found education.

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.640
Um things have changed rapidly, but it was too late for my father.

00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:20.559
Today things have changed dramatically for those of you getting diagnosed.

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:23.839
I have friends who are on some of the drugs that are available now.

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.400
The FDA is released.

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.559
There's finally hope.

00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:35.359
Unbelievable how close we are to putting this thing to rest.

00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:05.440
There's also a white flower.

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:17.039
And I'm confident that one day we will be able to add this white flower to the garden that will represent the first survivor of all times.

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:27.119
That will be such an incredible addition to the garden, but until that day, we can't back down, y'all.

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:34.799
We must continue to lead the way because together we can end Alzheimer's.

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.160
Nice sky.

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:16.000
Meaning it's not too hot, it's not too cold, and then there are about 2,500 people who are on your team.

00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:24.000
We are standing right here at the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's.

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:28.079
Now, this is sponsored by the Georgia chapter, but it's happening all over the place.

00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:38.400
Y'all, we have cheerleaders from Georgia Tech helping us learn how to not cheer and leave that to people who are much younger than us.

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.119
I'm gonna tell you that.

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.799
What they were doing, I can't do that.

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:49.839
We have people from B103, we have people from news, multiple radio stations, making sure that the word gets out.

00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:55.279
There are people who are fighting hard as hell to beat this disease.

00:25:55.519 --> 00:26:01.759
I met one lady where she got diagnosed two years ago and she's not even 60.

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:04.079
It's considered young Alzheimer's.

00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:16.720
It's not even quite early onset, and she's one of the very few ambassadors that the Alzheimer's Association has used to be a spokesperson across the nation.

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:21.039
Your girl got to get on stage with a yellow flower.

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:35.920
What we learned today was whether you're a caregiver, a survivor, lost somebody to the disease, a corporate sponsor, you get a different color flower.

00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:45.599
So it felt like we were in a world of tulips and daisies because everybody at the appropriate times like jumped up and down with their flowers.

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:48.799
It was so colorful and it was so beautiful.

00:26:49.519 --> 00:27:02.799
There are at least 15 different facilities who are here sharing what they do for loved ones, family members who are suffering with any form of dementia.

00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:07.920
Parkinson's, frontal, uh, temporal dementia, vascular dementia.

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:13.920
But these are care centers that very specifically only want people suffering with dementia.

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.319
Emory University was here.

00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:23.200
They had this huge research tent telling us what they're doing to move the needle.

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:28.240
The biggest thing, one of the most prominent people, um, Dr.

00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:41.279
Levy, in all of the country when it comes to neurology and science and thinking this, all the dementia-related things out, he told us we gotta get in more clinical trials.

00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.400
Did y'all know that?

00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:48.000
Like, unfortunately, cancer is beating our ass.

00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:52.079
10 to 1 with participants in clinical trials.

00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:57.359
Now, that helps them get to treatments and a cure.

00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:59.920
We haven't gotten to a cure yet.

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:06.160
I learned today that the color white, a white flower, is symbolic.

00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:12.319
We are fighting to wait and see when will we have the first survivor of Alzheimer's?

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:19.599
A person who is diagnosed, but then the disease is reversed or it vanishes.

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:29.519
The number of people who started crying and cheering at the thought of when will we get the first survivor?

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:32.319
My heart started beating fast.

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:44.559
To me, it felt like having the first black president or having uh the first woman do something, or the first time the Cowboys won the Super Bowl.

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:47.839
I'm just saying, you know, big fancy first.

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:53.200
Researchers, kids.

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:57.440
The cutest thing ever, this little girl could barely walk.

00:28:57.599 --> 00:29:02.720
She had on a fit that was so damn adorable.

00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:04.160
It was Alzheimer's.

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:10.960
She had purple pom-poms, and she was the symbolic holder of the white flower.

00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:13.839
She was blowing purple bubbles.

00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:19.359
There was so much joy and happiness around us on this big old football field.

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:21.839
We had two different lengths of the walk.

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:27.599
There was a 1.5 distance and a 2.5 distance miles.

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:30.480
1.5 miles, 2.5 miles.

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:37.759
And there were people in wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and some people were getting pushed.

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.960
You see what I'm saying?

00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.480
That is serious.

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:46.400
You talking about commitment to support.

00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:56.480
You are in a wheelchair getting pushed to fight for other people while you are already potentially in a compromised physical state.

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.559
It was so amazing.

00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:07.279
I have I've never met so many people supporting a disease that they didn't have a connection to.

00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:19.599
I met at least five people who haven't had a family member, a coworker, or anybody have any form of dementia.

00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:21.039
You know why they're here?

00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:38.319
Because they have empathy, they are reading the news, they're watching stuff on social media, and they're getting involved simply because advocacy is what you do to make humanity better.

00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:40.720
It blew me away.

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:47.519
How many things do you fight for that have not ever affected you?

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.119
Now you're talking about heart.

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.160
That's big heart.

00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.359
That's big heart.

00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:55.519
So we had calisthenics, that's such an old school world.

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:57.440
We were stretching.

00:30:58.400 --> 00:31:15.200
They got porta potties with hand sanitizer, there smoothies, chicken and waffles, yeah, food carts at the Alzheimer's walk to end the disease.

00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:17.119
It's been a great day.

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:29.839
There are all every gender, every race, at least eight generations.

00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:33.920
Congratulations, Alzheimer's Association.

00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:46.240
Congratulations on putting on the biggest, most productive, most financially um let's say something.

00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:50.079
They raised the most money and got the most people out here that they've ever done.

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:59.279
In a time when our country and our world is starving for community and the lack of hate.

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:02.240
We found it today.

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.799
So I'm happy.

00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.480
So I'm so very happy.

00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:14.799
I'm right now thinking about my grandfather who died from the disease, and my poor mama's daddy, which is the reason why.

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:19.519
I'm a caregiver, I got a podcast, and I'm a comedian.

00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:22.160
And then look, we pucked out some new merch, y'all.

00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:27.519
Alright, so if you if you listen, you're gonna have to go to the YouTube page to look at it.

00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.960
Let me know what you think.

00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:34.160
But we for the first time, we got front and back on our gear.

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:41.119
Thank y'all, thank y'all, thank y'all.

00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:46.400
Please like, share, get in the comments, get in the DMs.

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:52.559
Tell me what else I can do to help support you and those you know who are family caregivers.

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.160
Peace.

00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:57.440
Grandgraddy.

00:32:57.680 --> 00:33:06.720
Apparently, when I was little, I couldn't say granddaddy, so I said grandgraddy.

00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:10.400
The snuggle up.

00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:36.559
The most prominent thing about today attending the Alzheimer's Association, walk to end Alzheimer's, is that racism, sexism, classism, all the isms of bigotry and bias were not present.

00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:39.279
Ageism wasn't present.

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:42.559
Disabledism wasn't present.

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:57.839
That was so rewarding, impactful, and inspiring to feel, not just see, to actually, like my body and my bones got re-energized.

00:33:58.880 --> 00:34:06.000
And then the other thing I want to say, and I and I'm encouraging y'all, and no, no, I'm challenging you.

00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:11.199
Go to a walk for something.

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:21.199
If for some reason they don't have dementia or Alzheimer's near you, go to it for leukemia, for cancer, for domestic violence.

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:32.000
The amount of hope I have right now in humanity, in this world, and the fact that what I see in the news is not the whole truth.

00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:37.280
Right now, I'm ready to go talk shit to Congress.

00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:39.840
I want to go talk shit to the man on the corner.

00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:42.480
I am more fueled right now.

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:45.440
Last night wasn't such a good time with Daddy.

00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:47.280
She had a tough night.

00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.440
And that kind of got me down.

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:52.159
But I get out here and I'm like, oh shit, okay.

00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.760
I'm not alone.

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:56.960
I'm not the only one thinking this way.

00:34:57.119 --> 00:35:01.519
And more importantly, I'm not the only one experiencing this.

00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:12.639
Dazzy from V103, look her up on IG, was one of the hosts during the opening ceremony.

00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:17.440
She had to stop several times because of tear.

00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:18.960
Real tears.

00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:20.800
This is a radio personality.

00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:23.199
She is used to talking in front of people.

00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:35.199
Happy, sad, catastrophe, but she was talking about her family, how they've been adversely snatched around emotionally.

00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:42.320
And she was so excited to see how many people were out here with the disease.

00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:46.159
The blue flower meant you had the disease.

00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:47.280
And it was a bunch of them.

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.480
And that's when she broke down.

00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.360
I was like, you know what?

00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:53.679
This thing is bigger than all of us, but together we can beat it.

00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:55.599
So that's that's it.

00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:57.280
That's all I got.

00:35:58.559 --> 00:36:00.079
Thank you for tuning in.

00:36:00.239 --> 00:36:04.559
I mean, really, really, really thank you so very much for tuning in.

00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:12.719
Whether you're watching this on YouTube or if you're listening on your favorite podcast audio platform.

00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:16.000
Either way, wherever you are, subscribe.

00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.039
Come back.

00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:20.239
That's the way you're gonna know when we do something next.

00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:21.360
Y'all know how it is.

00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.480
I'm Jason Miles.

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:25.679
I might just drop something hot in the middle of the night.