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Ben Stevens's Page
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Ben Stevens
69, Male
Irving, United States - Share
Profile
- Hometown:
- Irving, Texas, USA
- About Me:
- I have been DX with AD for well over 12 years and with some promting I can usually tell which way is up and which way is down, however additonal prompting may be required to determine left from right. I never have any problem finding my way to the dinner table, however. I like joking (may you noticed) ;-)
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You have a great gift for humor - this is a big help dealing with life, and particularly with dealing with Alzheimer's. I'm not always so positive, but I do try to be as upbeat as possible - you are a great example for me.
I started having memory issues in 2003 and, in the beginning, I mostly noticed it in my job as a computer systems analyst as I had trouble remembering the many details required to diagnose computer issues, In February of 2005, I was officially diagnosed after two prior sets of testing - the first was in February of 2004 and I had a second set in August of 2004. My employer's response was to fire me, which was a real disappointment to me as well as a financial problem - my employer was a hospital, and I expected better from them as they are supposedly focused on medical problems - I guess money rules as they were very clear that they would not pay disability to me and, in fact, they refused to even submit a claim to their disability insurance carrier.
I'll get off my soapbox now . . . on the bright side Social Security was wonderful. In the first visit they approved me for social security payments, and after a short waiting period, I began receiving the payments. They were VERY helpful.
The Rush Without Warning group is a huge help and we meet monthly - we have a variety of ages, with the youngest member being diagnosed when he was 37. He has younger children - it must be difficult for them.
Rush has many programs regarding the treatment of this disease - I have been in a clinical test, as well as being in an outreach program to a local high school to interact with some of their students to communicate what it is like to have Alzheimer's.
By the way, I commend you on your very well done beard -
Ted Van