Journalist and CBS Sunday Morning host Jane Pauley was the keynote speaker at the sixth annual Successful Aging Luncheon to benefit the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County. Faith Daniels, her longtime friend and a fellow television host, moderated the discussion at the sold-out event, held at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
“Welcome to the Successful Aging Luncheon, where we gather not only to share a meal, but we’re here to unite for a cause that touches so many folks in this county,” said Peggy Cunningham, executive director.
Stressing the profound impact that memory and movement disorders have on individuals and families, Cunningham said we can all make a difference through compassion, commitment and the understanding that joy can still be found given kindness and support.
“Our vision is that no one goes through the experience alone, the experience of memory disorder and movement disorders. Everyone deserves to have support, the tools and the empowerment to hit the reset button on a life that feels like it’s being shredded by a life-altering diagnosis,” said Cunningham.
She commented that they provide 40 programs to support individuals and families, adding that one of their most important missions is connecting people to community resources as well as to their own inner strengths.
After enjoying a lovely luncheon catered by Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Company, and a live auction led by emcee John Moore, he rallied the crowd into a ‘give from the heart’ appeal.
Prior to the ask, Nancy Bryant shared the invaluable support she received with husband Bill.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 65, it wasn’t until 10 years later that she accepted that they needed help.
“I was scared. He was scared. He didn’t want anybody to know that he had Parkinson’s because he felt like people would think he was weak,” she recalled.
She spoke of the programs they had fun attending together, and said that using what they learned and aided by activity kits and YouTube videos, they were able to travel and make their last few years together rich ones. Bryant encouraged everyone to spread the word about the organization, stating that so many others need the same help.
Pauley said the trip to Vero Beach was bittersweet, as she had often visited her in-laws, Jean and Bill Amory, when her children were younger, traveling from New York to Vero Beach, before crossing the state to visit her parents in Clearwater.
“My mother had strokes the last 15 years of her life. She was a total invalid,” shared Pauley, adding that her father was her mother’s sole caregiver for more than a decade.
“My father took his marriage vows very seriously, the sickness and health clause in particular. So when my mother became an invalid, he stepped into the role of caregiver and pretty much wouldn’t allow anybody else to be in it, try as we might.”
While her father was a very sociable man, Pauley said he had limited contact with the outside world while caring for her mother, and recalled a speaking engagement that her father attended.
“I explained to the audience about my father’s role as mother’s caregiver and explained that it was, you know, the generosity of spirit and the wedding vows, but mostly it was the money,” said Pauley.
“My father suffered from chronic sainthood with complications of tight-waddedness. Well, he got a laugh, and he enjoyed the laugh, and he enjoyed the attention, but it didn’t make up for the years where he might have had such simple ideas of connection,” said Pauley, stressing the impact of the diseases on caregivers as well as patients.
Pauley said she has interviewed Michael J. Fox numerous times over the years, adding that their longstanding relationship preceded his Parkinson diagnosis at age 29. It came not long after he noticed a tremble in his pinky finger while filming on the set of “Doc Hollywood,” and she said his energy and optimism were integral to successfully navigating the debilitating struggles he has faced.
Afterward, Pauley signed copies of her book, “Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life.”
For more information, visit alzpark.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
