CFTC Recipient

True Love Never Forgets

Kimberly’s story captures the heartbreak of young-onset dementia as FTD changes her husband’s personality, and how FTTF provides critical support to help them navigate grief, financial strain, and the fight to cherish every moment.

“Either something is wrong with my husband's brainor he has become an a- hole.” 

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It was the former for Kimberly's 50 something husband. BvFTD (Frontal Temporal Degeneration, behavioral variant) alters the very personality that makes Ike, Ike. “The diagnosis came with removing frustration but replaced it with great empathy and sadness that I carry around with me…I can't put it down…. We had such a great marriage.”Kimberly and Ike are in their first year of his diagnosis and are still coping with the ever changing reality of this terminal illness, the daily grief and loss, the new reality that her husband is right there, but not. Ike was the breadwinner and now he can’t work. He’s too young for Social Security. The CFTC Relief grant helped pay their health insurance bill while also providing resources for continued financial and emotional support for both of them.

We asked Kimberly, what advice do you have for other caregivers to a spouse or parent?

‍“Cherish the moment. Cherish every single moment.” 

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Dementia describes the symptoms caused by degenerative brain diseases such as FTD. FTD is considered a young dementia. For more information about FTD or the CFTC Relief Program, please stop by the FTTF table.

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Dementia impacts the entire family. Often it is the family who take on the caregiving responsibilities. They do it without hesitation or second thoughts.
"It's just what you do" is so often said by care partners and families. But to care for your other half or parent as he or she declines also brings emotional, physical and financial stress. It is 24/7 and can be lonely.

‍FTTF exists to help these families. We piloted our "Care For the Caregiver's Relief Program" in 2021. The program provides financial relief for the "now" and a customized resource package for continued care. Resources are out there, but the caregiver often is left to figure it out on their own. FTTF aims to point the way and offer a helping hand.

Melissa was the first grant recipient of CFTC Relief Program thanks to proceeds from our Move For Their Thoughts (MoveFTT) challenge to walk a mile a day for 35 days. 

Here is Melissa's story.
‍Melissa and her family live in a small town in the heart of Kentucky. Several years ago her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In 2020, Melissa moved in with her full-time and is now her primary caregiver.

The roles have reversed and it is time for the daughter to care for the mother. It's the only way to provide her mother with the care she needs as the disease progressively worsens.

Because of the time and effort involved in caring for her mother, Melissa only leaves the house once every other week to run errands and grocery shop.

The love and commitment Melissa has for family has been exemplified in every conversation with her. In her own words, "Family is everything. I wouldn't have it any other way." 💙