It was early 1992 when my family first noticed signs that something wasn't quite right with my mother. She was forgetful and ornery. Not like herself at all. At first, we didn't think too much of it, but as time went on, she became more and more forgetful and soon began to say strange things. We would be having a conversation about something when out of the blue...

I am 57 and was diagnosed in 2004 with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. I was a bank manager and was very active in my community and church. One afternoon, I left work and did not know how to get home. This was the start of a "downhill no return" into the Alzheimer world. I am now in my world, a world of confusion, fatigue, and most days, in severe pain.

I've been dealing with insomnia and problems with my sleeping pattern for about as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact, I had just allowed my mind to adjust to the fact that I was never going to be able to get a good night's sleep. Sometimes, I would toss and turn at night and be unable to fall asleep at all and then the next night, I would fall asleep immediately.

The day my hands refused to work properly I sensed my “superwoman” days had ended! My body hurt all over, and I was so exhausted that it felt as though water, not blood, was running through my veins. Physically unable to carry on as senior teacher in a special school, I returned home believing that I’d be fine after a few days’ rest.

It all began with an incredible eye ache. I suffered for about a week. Then I went to an evening engagement where I drank several glasses of wine. I recall that detail due to the fact that my head stopped pounding. I felt cured, until the next morning. Then I assumed that I was experiencing a hangover but the following day, the ache was still there. I called my doctor, who then referred me to an eye doctor. I went that day. After a “light” exam, I was asked if I new what MS was.