Open Forum

Early Alzheimer's

Dear Editor,

Dawn Cribbs' front page article on the Memory Walk for Alzheimer's was important.

However, I feel there is a whole new issue that was not, at least, mentioned in all of the material from the Alzheimer's Association.

The approximate count of 4 million Americans who have Alzheimer's today does not include, possibly, many more people who are suffering from some early stages of Alzheimer's.

More people, ages 50 or over, are becoming more aware of early stages of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, especially, men and women who have a family history of Alzheimer's disease.

There has been sufficient research to help people identify if they might have early-stage symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, or early signs of dementia, thanks to the help from the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.

The Alzheimer's Association is a leading national not-for-profit association fighting Alzheimer's on all fronts. It is the families and communities who provide important support through memorials, donations, program grants, and participation in fund-raising events.

The Memory Walks are one of our best sources to assist in all the research being conducted by the Alzheimer's Association.

As stated in the Gazette article, "Eighty-five percent of the proceeds raised remain in the chapter area with 15 percent going toward research." Denial and fear can be the most defective feelings that may keep people with possible early-stage symptoms of Alzheimer's or related dementia (from getting help).

Educated medical doctors may refer people to a psychological professionals who can now conduct accurate evaluations. The Wechsler Memory Tests, and personal interview, is a resource that may help people to decide if they may have early-stage symptoms. The tests may be a significant resource, also, to relieve some people of the fears that they may have Alzheimer's disease. It certainly can be worth the effort to find out what your early stages of dementia may be.

There are also new medications for people who are diagnosed with early-stage symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia. It is possible that these medications can arrest memory decline for up to 10 years. These new facts are so important to both those who are properly diagnosed and their family or future caregivers.

At age 68, recent and current research have been a great help to me. It is so much easier to live with the facts. Many people will fear their memory loss may be due to Alzheimers disease. Some will also feel memory loss is simply early stages of aging. It is a great relief to know the answers to these fears and/or guesses regarding any of the symptoms associated with memory loss or dementia.

C. Chuck Beebe

McCook

Not intended

Dear Editor,

In reply to Bob Lakey's article of the Aug. 21 Gazette: I am sure sorry to learn my views have energized the Republican base.

That was definitely not my intention. I didn't even realize they needed energizing in this area. However, at that risk, I must tell it like I see it.

And you are welcome.

Bob Thayer

McCook

Thanks, McCook

Dear Editor,

We would like to thank John McArthur/Jr's Airstream for the fabulous meal he prepared for our Bluegrass Festival, and all the McCook businesses and individuals who donated.

They include: McCook National Bank, McCook Eagles Aux., Eagle FOE 2769, T&D Electric, Wal-Mart, Dale Musgrave, Frito Lay, and Pepsi.

We also want to thank Connie Jo Discoe for all of her support and coverage and Betsy Coolidge with the Goldenrod Girl Scout council for her support with the Jr. Scout Bronze Award. It is wonderful having support from neighboring communities.

Sincerely,

Haigler Park

Improvement

Committee

and

Alicia Crouse and Paige Stute Junior Girl Scouts

Support the arts

Dear Editor,

After reading Jim Steinke's letter last week I was upset to hear they are reducing the art program at McCook High school. When is the cancellation of music and arts programs going to stop? I am not going to bash or criticize any school program or activity, but some get all the attention, support, and hype from everyone in town. That doesn't make them any more important than the arts.

We have a great football team and that's great. I loved watching them last year, in fact, that's about all I could think about. All of the sports are great at McCook, but so are the music and arts programs, at least they used to be.

Nowadays we have Coaches Coffee Club, local radio stations broadcast hundreds of local sports events all season long, and we have local sports updates all the time on the radio and newspaper.

All of which are great, but in the background of this, are just as many if not more kids who have great talents that deserve to be molded by great teachers; talents which can take them to college and beyond for their entire lives.

I am grateful to have had teachers like Jim Steinke, Randal Datus, Terry Zuelow, and the late Dick Driml at MCC. There are many more great teachers past and present and some may not be teaching because of irresponsible cuts or other frivolous reasons.

I am living a great life right here in McCook where I am still involved with music and arts. Music has allowed me to do things some people will never have a chance to do. I have traveled through England with the MCC Jazz Band raising money for the Lions Club.

That experience greatly affected my life. I have also played with a blues band in front of thousands of people along with some of the top blues musicians in the world. How cool is that?

We need to preserve these programs no matter what. These programs will influence more kids than you think and it will affect them for their entire lives.

The arts will enhance their lives and make them better individuals. Music and arts may not be the most popular school activity, so let's make it more popular!

Support the arts in McCook and in our schools!

Justin Harris

MHS Graduate '95