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Taking a new direction in life
Being diagnosed with Alzheimer's is life-changing. But being diagnosed at age 38 can be particularly devastating.
"In the beginning, I was very depressed," said Tracy Mobley, now 41. "But I had a lot of encouragement from my husband and friends. They helped me see that I had to be as active as I could for my son. I want to be here as long as I can and be in as of good quality as I can for him."
The will to live well with Alzheimer's has taken Mobley to places she never dreamed of. She wrote a book, "Young Hope," that chronicles her experiences in discovering her disease and getting diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
Mobley is about to publish a second book, "I Remember When," aimed at helping children cope with the disease as it affects their parents or grandparents. Mobley wrote the book with her son, 11-year-old Austin. Their content come from discussions about what has changed in his life, from his point of view.
"Austin has had to grow up really fast," said Mobley. "He's very protective of me. A lot of times, he'll realize I'm confused even before I do. And he probably knows enough about tests and medications to get a medical degree."
Last year, Mobley attended the Alzheimer's Association's Public Policy Forum in Washington, where she spoke about the issues she has faced. For someone previously terrified of speaking in public, it was an extraordinary moment. For someone with dementia, using her prepared notes to deliver a speech made it an even greater triumph.
"I realized that there are a lot of people out there who are young and don't know what to do," said Mobley. "I was on a panel with three other people, and I think we opened a lot of eyes and a lot of ears."
While at the Forum, Mobley met with several legislators.
"It was neat," she said. "A lot of people think of them as high-class, and some people are afraid to speak to them. But they are more than willing to listen. They want to hear what is going on. And when you can put a story to a face, it makes more of an impact.
"This disease has no boundaries," she said. "I would encourage anyone to go to the Forum because it's their voice and face that make a difference."
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