Rick Phelps 3/2/2014 This disease will take many things from me.

My ability to walk, talk, eat, and function in many other ways. I have long lost the ability to read any more than a couple of paragraphs, I know longer can make decisions, haven't been able to do that for a very long time. I forget what day it is, even if I am told every hour. I get anxiety attacks constantly. I worry about things I know can't be fixed or changed. All of this, the disease has done. And in the end it will indeed take my life. But I am still me. And I will be me when I lie there and take my very last breath. I am not dementia. I will not let this disease define who I am, or what happens. Ever... No one should. Ever.