OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) -
Alzheimer's is a disease for which there is no cure. Nearly half of all people over the age of 85 are victims of this disease, but its numbers are growing for younger people as well. It is estimated that the number of early-onset Alzheimer's cases will triple by the year 2050.
Jon and Cindi Braud of Ocean Springs can certainly identify with that number. Jon was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 40. That was three years ago. And ever since that time, this couple has been waging war against the disease.
"I remember when I first met him, we were just friends," Cindy told us during a recent interview at their home. "I thought, 'God, he is really cool.' Then all of a sudden I thought he was cute, then he was really cute," she chuckled.
That was 15 years ago, when both worked for a casino in North Mississippi. Cindi described it as the best of times. They were always going out on the town, enjoying life and enjoying one another.
They married about five years ago, but it did not take long for Cindi to realize there was something terribly wrong.
"I would ask him to take out the trash or something like that, and five or ten minutes later, he would say, 'What did you ask me?'"
For a long time they tried to ignore the symptoms, but eventually knew he had to go see a doctor. Testing confirmed their worst fears.
"It was a Friday, at 10:45 in the morning," she said with tears in her eyes. "I will never forget it because it was the worst day of my life. I was hysterical and crying emotionally, and could not stop crying. And he stood there and took it like a man. He did not cry. He comforted me."
From that moment on, Jon and Cindi knew that life had changed. Jon told us he could not believe the diagnosis. As for Cindi, she said the news was shocking beyond what words could describe.
"I am like, 'Are you kidding me? He is going to forget who I am? He is not going to know who I am?' That stabs you in the heart," Cindi said.
Because of the disease, Jon had to leave his job as a pit boss at the IP Casino in Biloxi. It wasn't easy to say goodbye.
"I miss it so much," Jon said. "I just loved working there."
Cindi still works there as a casino host, but balancing work demands with the challenges of a husband with Alzheimer's presents a lot of unique challenges. She finds herself calling Jon many times a day just to check on him.
"I can't let him get depressed. Actually, he has never once complained," she said. " He has never said, 'Why me?' He has never said anything negative about this disease, which is crazy because he has it and I am living it. I spent the first year with his diagnosis being angry."
Eventually Cindi's anger turned to determination to fight the disease in every way they possibly can.
Jon and Cindi's story isn't just about the ravishes of Alzheimer's, but it is also a love story. it serves as a great example of the love two people can share, and how they can find the will to go on, despite a medical prognosis that can best be described as dismal.
With her voice filled with emotion, Cindi ended our interview by telling us how much she has learned from Jon.
"He has taught me over the years, how to fight, how to be strong," she said with Jon sitting right beside her. He showed me how to stand up for myself and have the courage to face something like this. I think because of his spirit and determination we are able to fight, and at least keep pushing and trying to get to a doctor or somewhere to find a cure."
Cindi has tried for years to get Jon into a clinical study, but was turned down countless times. She was told he was too young to participate in such a study.
Finally, in late January she got Jon into a worldwide research project based out of St. Louis. They will be going back again this summer for more testing.
WLOX News plans to follow the Brauds' battle against this devastating disease for the next several years. Each February and November, we will document this courageous couple's ability to cope with Alzheimer's and its consequences.
Jon and Cindi told us they want to shine a light on Alzheimer's in the hope that it will help others. Their hope and prayer is that one day the disease will be eradicated and medical science will find a cure.
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