Teen writes about experience with Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced that Brooke Serra has been chosen as the second runner-up of its national 2018 Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Essay Contest. Brooke, who earned a $1,500 college scholarship for her essay about caring for her great-grandmother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, was chosen from thousands of entries across the country.
“Whether it’s helping care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, volunteering at a care setting or getting involved in charity, teens across the country are getting involved in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., AFA’s president and CEO. “Brooke’s moving story about her memories of her great-grandmother, how the experience brought her family closer together, and the lessons that she learned from those experiences will help raise Alzheimer’s awareness and provide strength and support to the millions of other families who are dealing with the same challenges. We congratulate Brooke on being named second runner-up in this competition and thank her and all the other contest participants for sharing their stories and working to bring hope to all those living with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Brooke’s essay focused on her great-grandmother’s progression through the disease. Brooke, who attended Chartiers-Houston High School, wrote about how her mother became the primary caregiver. She described visits with her great-grandmother as scary at first, but she learned to adapt and the experience taught her a lot about loyalty, overcoming her fears, and to have respect for everyone. The experience gave her greater respect and admiration for her mother, observing the difficulties of caregiving. It has inspired Brooke to teach others to show compassion and to take care of the elderly.
“The impact that Alzheimer’s disease had on my life through my great-grandmother’s journey is something that can never be replaced or recreated. It taught me to love unconditionally, to honor family bonds, and to do what is necessary even through scary situations. It means the absolute world to me that I was able to care for her and make her smile while she was alive,” Brooke said in her essay.
Brooke will attend the University of Pittsburgh and pursue a bachelor’s degree in applied developmental psychology. She will study early childhood and special education.
AFA’s annual Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Essay Contest asks teens to describe how Alzheimer’s disease impacted their life, what they’ve learned in the face of coping with Alzheimer’s disease and how they plan to help others who are affected by the disease. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org