WESTLAKE, Ohio — It's been a few months since Dr. Charlie Farrell shared some personal news with us.
"After several months of testing, I do have dementia," he told us back in May 2021.
But he's never surrendered to his diagnosis, even when the effects sneak in more and more lately.
"Well, I think what I know of this disease, it's progressive," Dr. Charlie shared with us recently. "I think, in fact, it has progressed. My ability to speak is much more difficult. Suddenly, my ability to walk really disintegrated."
The changes have been especially tough on his life partner, Luise Easton.
"I just don't like the fact that he has all these difficulties, and I feel bad when he hurts and when he gets discouraged," she said. It bothers me."
None of these new currents have stopped Farrell from journaling about his experience to help others — and their families — see life outside of dementia.
"As long as I can move, I can compete in any number of activities," he declared.
Swimming is one of them, but it's nothing new for Charlie and Luise. The two swam from Alcatraz back in 2019 to raise awareness for memory care. Farrell couldn't do a swim this year, but he's found a new purpose for his pool.
"Well, swimming, it's now the only exercise that I can really do," he said, "but as my dementia moves on, I have more difficulty dealing with chaos. So when I swim, it comforts me."
"I'm proud of him that he is responsible to do what he needs to do to help himself," Luise added of her partner.
Dr. Charlie knows there will be rough waters ahead, but the hope is to inspire others just like him.
"You can still live a very positive life with help from your family," he said. "Find new friends in the same world and they can live an active life in their journey, as well."
For Luise, it's about taking things day by day.
"I have to just put one foot in front of the other, and it's the same with Charlie. I just have to just keep going," she explained. "You're just going to put one foot in front of the other and go on to the next step."
Their mantra? Keep moving, keep swimming, keep living.
On Oct. 2, the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation (named for Charlie's late wife) will be honored along with Dr. Charlie. The event is called "A Decade of Joy." Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which supports those and their families living with Alzheimer's and dementia. For a link to the silent auction, click HERE.
To follow "My Journey with Al," click HERE.