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Couple find support through local
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22 September 22 2016

ue and Eli Cooper of West
Bloomfield will be spending
Saturday, Oct. 1, in a very
special way. They will be members
of Team Sue at the "Walk to End
Alzheimer's" at Comerica Park, a
2-mile walk fundraiser hosted by
the Alzheimer's Association-Greater
Michigan Chapter.
This cause is very personal to the
couple as Sue Cooper, 56, was diag-
nosed with early onset Alzheimer's
on New Year's Eve 2013, after experi-
encing depressive issues, a common
symptom of the disease, and frequent-
ly getting lost.
It all came to a head when Sue
became the victim of an internet
phishing scam. Looking back, Eli, 57,
says that after putting all the symp-
toms together, the diagnosis made
sense. "I can't emphasize enough that
hindsight is a lot clearer:' said Eli
Cooper, a transportation manager for
the city of Ann Arbor.
Sue went through six months of
testing, ranging from basic physical
screenings to MRIs. She did not have
a typical Alzheimer's presentation as
her short-term memory was relatively
intact. However, her executive man-
agement and visuospatial areas of the
brain were most affected. She was
definitively diagnosed from a spinal
fluid test. Through this, Sue remained
focused, calm and positive.
"It was difficult, and I was in denial
at some point. Throughout time, I
decided I wasn't going to let it get me
down," said Sue, who also states there
are moments when the diagnosis is
difficult to handle. She adds that fam-
ily, including her parents and sister
Shari, as well as friends, continue to be
supportive, often visiting and driving
her, as she can no longer do so herself.
Soon after the diagnosis, Sue and Eli
became involved with the Southfield-
based Alzheimer's Association.
Among other things, the organiza-

tion provided support and materials,
such as reading lists of resources and
information about Alzheimer's disease
and names of attorneys to help them
get their affairs in order, as well as
the opportunity to meet others who
have been affected by the disease.
Sue remarks that seeing friendly and
familiar faces has helped to reinforce
she is not alone.
"The Alzheimer's Association has
been a godsend:' Eli says. "We have
been able to survive and exist in large
part due to them — the warmth, kind-
ness and availability of the staff has
been amazing."
The couple, who met on JDate and
married in 2007 at Temple Israel,
where they are members, participated
in their first Walk to End Alzheimer's
last year, creating Team Sue, which is
captained by Sue's childhood friend,
Dana.
As the caregiver, it was very power-
ful, the feeling of love and support,
and the energy of everybody who was
there last year," Eli said. "It was very
uplifting. For that reason, we want to
give back:'
This year, in addition to their Walk
team, they are serving as members on
the Detroit Walk Committee.
Along with the Alzheimer's
Association, Sue is involved in other
volunteer programs and says she gets
energy from remaining an active
and involved citizen. Currently, she
volunteers at JVS in the Senior Corps
Program, goes to the Friendship
Circle's Soul Center and is an artist
who creates mosaics.
"I enjoy life. I enjoy people:' she
said. "I love volunteering. For now,
that's all I can do. I maintain a pretty
good attitude." *

The Saturday, Oct. 1, Walk to End Alzheimer's

at Comerica Park will begin with a ceremony at

noon followed by a 1220 p.m. start to the walk.

For details, visit act.alz.org/walk.

