When Stephanie Hunt Gamblin’s father, Tommy Hunt, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2004 at the age of 62, Gamblin struggled to come to terms with what was happening to her family. Through a gamut of emotions — hope, anger, fear, confusion — she reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association for answers.On the association’s website, alz.org, she found a wealth of information and support which allowed her to better understand the disease which was slowly robbing her of the father she knew and loved.
However, information was not enough. Her desire to end Alzheimer’s led to her active participation in the cause of bringing awareness to others.
“If my father had not been diagnosed with the disease, I would have never thought twice about Alzheimer’s,” Gamblin said. “My goal is to raise awareness of the disease.”
Gamblin has participated in two Walks to End Alzheimer’s in Bowling Green and has volunteered at two others, in Paducah and Hopkinsville, where she distributed information about the disease. The proceeds of the walks and other fund-raising activities go toward Alzheimer’s research and education. She has also used the events to make the public aware of a special project that has become very dear to her.
While paying taxes and renewing her automobile license in the spring, Gamblin noticed that among the many specialty plates available, none promoted awareness of Alzheimer’s. This prompted her to write to the CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association–Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, telling her dad’s story and proposing the Alzheimer’s plate.
“The Alzheimer’s specialty plate has been a dream of ours for years, and we’re thankful for Stephanie’s enthusiasm for making them a reality,” said Teri Shirk, chapter president and CEO, in a news release last week. “Not only will the plates be a very visible reminder of those suffering with Alzheimer’s, but their sale will also help raise funds for local education initiatives.”
Gamblin worked with Shirk and Ellen Kershaw, vice president for public policy, on the concept for the plate which is lavender with a violet-colored forget-me-not flower. The words, “Honor, Remember, Care” and “End Alzheimer’s” are printed at the top and bottom.
The prototype was submitted to the Kentucky Department of Transportation which approved the plate just in time for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month (November).
The Alzheimer’s Association gives the following guidelines to sign up to receive an Alzheimer’s license plate:
•Fill out an application form and submit a check for $25 made out to the Alzheimer’s Association–Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter and mail to: Alzheimer’s Association, 6100 Dutchman’s Lane, Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40205. (If the association does not collect 900 applications within one year, all deposits will be returned or can be designated as a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.)
•Applicants will be notified by their local county clerk when their Alzheimer’s plate is ready to be picked up. The $25 deposit will be applied to the initial or renewal fee. Applicants will also have the option of including a $10 add-on that will fund Alzheimer’s awareness and education activities in Kentucky.
•Plates will be available approximately three months after the 900 commitments are secured.
The Department of Transportation requires 900 commitments within a year to issue the plate. The goal of the Alzheimer’s Association is to collect 900 applications from Kentucky drivers by Dec. 31. The count is currently at 100.
“The main reason I’m doing this is for my dad,” Gamblin said. “I know I can’t cure him, but I can raise awareness for other people. I think it is something people need to have much more knowledge of.”
According to alz.org, Alzheimer’s Disease is now the sixth leading cause of death. It is the only disease in the top 10 which cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. Since 2000, death rates from other major diseases have declined while the death rate from Alzheimer’s has risen by 66 percent.
Gamblin’s efforts to make the public aware of the devastation of Alzheimer’s Disease have put her in the public eye. In addition to her work with the Walks to End Alzheimer’s and the specialty license plate, she was recently asked by Tradewater Health and Rehabilitation Center, where her father is a resident, to speak at a regional meeting at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. She is also being scheduled for segments on morning shows on WPSD in Paducah, WKAG in Hopkinsville and WBKO in Bowling Green.
It is not the personal recognition that interests Gamblin. Through the power of prayer, love for her father and support of family and friends, she has learned to cope. Now she wants to help others in her situation and strive to end Alzheimer’s Disease.
“I can say, ‘I did it for my dad,’” she said.
Applications for the license plate are available online at http://www.alz.org/kyin/in_my_community_56950.asp.
