Hey ya’ll! This is my FOURTH year playing with BvB Dallas, I am so excited and honored to be back out on that field with such a remarkable organization and BRU CREW!!
Over the last four years that I have participated in BvB, I have learned more about myself as an individual than I have ever known, because of who I have the pleasure of playing beside. They are some of the most extraordinary people with such inspiring and heartfelt stories. Each summer I work hard to spread the effects of Alzheimer’s while trying to open the eyes of people who just might not fully understand how Alzheimer’s effects people.
Let’s be honest I joined BvB for the football aspect, sports is really all I knew, and Alzheimer’s was tossed on the backburner because I never truly been affected by it personally. It wasn’t until my second year of BvB that I learned that both my grandparents had been affected by Alzheimer’s, they both passed away a couple years earlier. This was an eye opener for me, like woah, this is a lot closer to home than I ever expected.
During my third year, the effects of Alzheimer’s took an even bigger hit on my heart, as my childhood friend’s mam-maw had been diagnosed and passed away from Alzheimer’s. She was always a joy to be around, always made everyone smile, continuously held her home open to everyone, and made the best damn nachos ever!! Even though I wasn’t related by blood she always treated me as another granddaughter. As Alzheimer’s played with her memory, she was no longer the sharpest as she once had been when it came to remembering everyone’s name and who they were but she ALWAYS was able remember her late son’s schnauzer, Nellie Girl. As she began to decline, I could tell how it was affecting all those near and dear to her heart, and it was heartbreaking to see such an ugly disease take one of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We will always remember her love when she can no longer remember.
I have never really shared why I play and why I participate in BvB, but this is why. I play for all those who cannot play for themselves, for all those families who have lost their most prize possessions. I play because I want to find a cure, so no one has to feel this pain again. One of the hardest things you will ever have to do, is grieve the loss of a person who is still alive. This is why I play. 🏈💙🌟
