The Birthdays Continue Despite Alzheimer’s Disease

Carl Horowitz turns 84 this month

Carl Horowitz turns 84 (G-D Willing) on August 28th, 2011.

Unfortunately, Carl, my father, is a victim of the heartless and feared, Alzheimer’s Disease.

He hasn’t said a word in around five years, and he forgot his friends and immediate family several years ago.

Not to diminish anyone else’s pain, but I truly believe that Alzheimer’s is the cruelest of all diseases. This is not my father. Not really. This is not the dad who used to watch every Saturday night Toronto Maple Leafs’ game with me, which included a soothing fire and a large pizza from Napoli Vince, and ping-pong every intermission.

This is not the dad who had great athletic skills, with an intellect and sense of humour to match!

This is not the dad who, after standing on his feet for 12 hours a day at his Missisiauga, Ontario pharmacy, would give local youngsters free packages of NHL Hockey Cards and help them desperately search for a Dave Keon or Bobby Orr!

My father’s generosity knew no bounds. He would, quite literally, give you the shirt off his back. And, even when Carl started to feel some of Alzherimer’s sadistic, inevitable touch, he had the presence of mind to sit down and pen an article, only to help other potential patients of the disease. Typically, my dad was trying to help total strangers.

Here’s the article he wrote some years ago. And, happy 84thd, dad!

My name is Carl Leonard Horowitz. I celebrated my 75th birthday in August, 2002. For many decades I served thousands of Mississauga residents as their neighbourhood pharmacist at a small, independent pharmacy I opened in 1952. Since my retirement, things have changed to say the least. I don't remember when it happened. I still play tennis and racquetball. I still watch the Maple Leaf games with my family. I don't know who this "Alzheimer guy" is, or was. He may have fabricated something to terrorize fragile seniors. When you hear the word "Alzheimer’s" uttered by a friend , relative or doctor you become fearful. The reason I am writing this is to tell you that you shouldn't - mustn’t - be afraid. You should not think that way. You should not believe that you are Alzheimerish - Fight it!

Thinking that way is the worst thing to do- Think positively! Be assertive. You are a strong "you" and you can fight back. It is too easy to give in. Remember what you have done in the past and be proud. Think of the good times and good friends . Don't feel sorry for yourself. If you do, you will succumb to this disease. I see friends that I have known for many years. When they approach me and shake my hand or hug me, I smile and then say, "sorry, I recognize and know you, but I can't remember your name". I then get their name and write it in my book. Eventually, I will have all my friends names in my book. I don't think that I am " alzheimerish " . I may have to think about it in the very near future. Then again, if I fight it and think positively maybe I can conquer this Alzheimer fellow . It would be a pleasure to laugh at him and say goodbye. Think of what you have achieved in the past years and these thoughts will help. You have raised children, and they have loved you and you are so fortunate. Appreciate what you have. You have to be strong, I realize, but you can do it! I volunteer at two hospitals and enjoy taking people to their destinations in the hospital. I sometimes (actually quite often) joke with them. As I am leading patients upstairs, I will humour them a bit by telling them "I am taking you first to Las Vegas" and then we will go up in the elevator. They always laugh and say, "Oh please!" It makes them feel good and I feel good also. Another casualty of the fiendish Mr. Alzheimer is the family. My family takes good care of me but sometimes I feel they are at fault because they are being overprotective. They mean well but it makes me feel like a nothing. In my case, I am on the borderline of Alzheimer’s. I say this because, I am not that bad. I forget names, that is all! I was advised not to drive but I still feel that I can drive better than all the hot-shots on the road to-day. I have not seen the statistics of my condition and on my next visit to my doctor I will ask him to show me the results of my tests. I still play a great game of tennis, I bowl and do all the normal other things that people do, and yet I have this Alzheimer’s’ stigma. Maybe if they (whoever they may be) could live with me and see how I act daily I wouldn't be put in this category. It is definitely a wrong thing to do to a normal, intelligent pharmacist who can challenge anyone in driving, talking and thinking rationally. The purpose of this writing is to help people who have Alzheimer’s and to make them feel better about things (some just and some unjust).

Let me know if I can help you in any way.

Love and best wishes,

Carl Horowitz