RUSHVILLE —
On Christmas Eve 1995, diabetic Dan Adragna was admitted to a clinic in Santa Cruz, California. Over the next few days, he would have double pneumonia, kidney failure, an emergency tracheotomy, and his heart would stop four times. After being in a coma seven weeks, he learned doctors had amputated both his legs mid-calf. Over time, he learned to walk using artificial legs while recuperating at his parents’ home.
Not long after, he was taking a college course in “abnormal psychology” and started noticing something wasn’t quite right with his mother.
“She liked taking hour-long walks,” said 56-year-old Adragna in a telephone interview. “Then her walks starting lasting 90 minutes and she’d explain it away as her taking a ‘detour.’ Then she began admitting she was getting lost. Then one day at the grocery store, she had to call home to say she couldn’t find her car. She was in tears.”
At first, Adragna’s family members attributed her behavior to age, but by 2000 a doctor had diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s disease. Seven years later, Adragna’s parents moved closer so he and his wife could help with care.
Today, his 78-year-old mom lives in a care facility. He said, “She has virtually no short-term memory and is almost nonverbal. It’s impossible to have a conversation with her. I can trigger maybe one word out of her when I’m there and maybe get her to smile, but only if I bring up something she thought was funny in the past.” His mother still walks unassisted and feeds herself with some prompting.
For work, Adragna is the Sacramento area director for Joni and Friends, a faith-based nonprofit helping families affected by disability. He gave advice to people whose parents have been recently diagnosed: “Be educated as much as possible about Alzheimers. For me, being educated helped remove the fear of the unknown and helped me know what to expect. Also be sure to visit with the (affected) person the first few years after diagnosis much as possible while that person is still aware and can have a conversation. One thing my mother really enjoyed was looking at old photographs and we cherished those times.”
As for his faith, he said, “It gives me an eternal perspective because I know I’ll be seeing my mother again (after she dies). That has helped me have an unexplained calm and peace.”
Contact: danieljvance.com
(Palmer Bus Service and LittleGiantFudge.com make this column possible.)
Health
Double amputee has mom with Alzheimer’s
- Health
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Rush County Youth Volunteer of the Year nominations open
Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation is accepting nominations for Rush County Youth Volunteer of the Year. This award will be presented to an outstanding Rush County youth by the Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation in recognition of exceptional commitment to philanthropy in the community.
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Flatrock celebrating Nursing Home Week
In observance of Nursing Home Week, May 12 to 18, Flatrock River Lodge will host several events, meant to encourage residents, families and other close relatives to “Get personal” with their caregivers. Sharing personal details allows the facility care team to offer a personalized environment, or person-centered care, that is targeted to an individual’s preferences and needs. Thus, this year’s theme is “Team Care: Everyone Pitches In!”
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Senior Screening Wednesday
The Rush County Health Department will hold their next Senior Screening from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 8, at the Rush County Senior Center.
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Full Service Day at Admiral
Admiral Service Station will take you back to the days when your gas was pumped and windshields cleaned for a Relay for Life fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25 at Admiral Service Station, South Main St., Rushville.
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Mental Health America in Rush County
Pat Springman, Rita Emsweller and Gloria Bunch, members of Mental Health America in Rush County, along with Donna Holland and her girl scout troop and “Sunny” the clown (Gini Whitaker) recently visited the residents at Miller’s Merry Manor.
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Mental Health America in Rush County and Girl Scouts visit Miller’s Merry Manor
Pat Springman, Rita Emsweller and Gloria Bunch, members of Mental Health America in Rush County, along with Donna Holland and her girl scout troop and “Sunny” the clown (Gini Whitaker) recently visited the residents at Miller’s Merry Manor.
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Mental Health America in Rush County hears about Partners for Progress
Gini Whittaker, a member of Mental Health America in Rush County, introduced Dena Vittorio from Partners for Progress in Rush County, who recently spoke to the Mental Health group at their lunch-and-learn meeting.
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Trauma and Addiction
We hear a lot these days about “trauma” and “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Often we discover that many people who abuse drugs or alcohol also have a history of violence and trauma.
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Heart dangers for women sometimes not obvious
A sharp pain or a tight feeling in the chest, along with shortness of breath . . . By now, most of us have been briefed on the warning signs of a heart attack. But the American Heart Association says those are typical signs of a heart attack in men: for women, they can be different.
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5K run/walk to benefit Autism Awareness
Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey will host a 5K run/walk to benefit charitable organizations. The inaugural event will start at 8:30 a.m. April 27 at Riverside Park Amphitheater.
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