FTD Travel Adventures

Going on my second day in Arizona. So far the trip has been going according to FTD style. Drove a friend crazy who was offering to give me a ride to the airport. I told her I would take a bus, then a lift from her, then bus, her, bus, her. Probably changed my partially deleted mind 8-10 times in 12 hrs. Even once in the car I told her to cut a bus off and I'd take it so she wouldn't hit traffic. She drove me halfway to the airport and I took the airport bus from there. When I move from NYC, there will be people that miss me, but many be snickering quietly, "poor Arizona bastards. They have no idea what there in for. Howard FTD is now your problem :-)"

Hey, no one will ever die of boredom being around me.

Well, got off the bus at the wrong Terminal at the airport. I've no idea how. That's a first. airports and air travel are 2nd nature to me. These days I build in hours of extra time for self caused events, so this didn't phase me. Didn't go into stress/anger mode, but was annoyed. Grabbed the airport shuttle van. I realized this was a good time to go into NAFW Mantra mode (Not a Fucking Word) till I arrived in Phoenix. My friend Gary reminds me of NAFW before every trip. God Bless Canada. Bored shuttle driver boy wanted small talk about how people go the wrong terminal. I ignored him rather than FTD him.

Once on board we sat and sat. 30 minutes later the Captain announced we were experiencing a "Performance" delay and it would hopefully be rectified soon. I turned to the person next to and said "performance delay, in other words we have a broken ship which there trying to fix so we don't crash and ruin everyone's day. Performance Delay -give me a fucking break. My seat mate of course was thrilled to have me next to him. We took off an hour later. 

My flight to Phoenix was via Minneapolis. Of course one delay creates another so as I landed I realized the Phoenix flight started boarding 20 minutes earlier. The captain announced that everyone should stay seated and those with connecting flights should get off first. Of course when we got to the gate everyone stood up at once. I wanted to catch the that flight, but wasn't panicking. Had no pressing business in Phoenix so I'd grab the next flight. "Performance Delay" - Kiss my FTD .....

I bolted off the plane practically running over Delta girl and looked up at a monitor. My Phoenix flight was at Gate F10. I turned towards Delta girl and asked hurriedly, "Where's F10, I'm late for my Phoenix connector." Delta girl smiled and said, "Your at F10, this is like winning a lottery, your really lucky". I looked behind me and sure enough my NY flight was the connector to Phoenix. Wow, I looked at Delta girl, "If I was really lucky I'd meet someone tonight in Phoenix and have great sex. She gave me a shocked, laughing, blushing look. Then a remark about my inappropriateness. Oops, FTD'ed it. I was now laughing and sighing at Howard and looked laughingly at Delta girl and asked eyebrows lifted if she was heading to Phoenix. No. working the Phoenix Gate. We talked FTD for 15 minutes and we later rehashed the incident on Film for "Howard's Brain" as I reboarded my Phoenix bound jet. Her final words was that she was going to Google "Howard FTD" when she got home. One more tiny step for FTD awareness.

Arrived at Phoenix and went to Payless Rent a Car for my $11.00 a day rental. Of course I knew after taxes and BS it would be about $20+ a day. Payless boy asked if I wanted additional coverage. No thanks. He then told me I needed it because I had a debit card. Last year I paid $8ish a day extra at Enterprise so this wasn't a surprise. Payless boy told me it would be an additional $40 a day. NAFW mode was now history. "Talk about getting fucked up the...... by Payless. You reel me in at $11 a day and now we're in the $60's." Payless boy immediately chopped it down by $25 a day and on it went. Finally got to the car and of course realized there was no way I was going to drive. FTD driving rules are in effect. Checked the car out and the seat was way to high. I signaled another Payless kid. He told me everyone has that problem. Showed me a pump lever you had to pump up and down for the seat to go up or down. Told him it was like my penile pump at home. He cracked up. ( I needed a medicinal prescribed penile pump last year after prostate cancer surgery).

I sat for about 45 minutes leveling myself. FTD driving rules in effect. I'm an excellent driver, but as with any disability special precautions must be taken. I never drive when I'm the least bit upset. Cell phone off. Radio off if I'm not familiar with the area. I know many with FTD that drive and many that no longer drive. I do drive a stick in NYC every few weeks so my skills are current and I've had someone driving with me.

I visited an incredible assisted living facility here in Phoenix yesterday that had 5 acres of beautifully manicured grounds for it's residents, including FTD'ers. Lisa O'toole gave me a wonderful tour and I met with the staff at length. I was o...... to be continued.

Need to cut this short. The cool off Misting system just went on. 108 degrees yesterday. Didn't phase me. There is a difference between humidity and dry heat. stick in NYC every few weeks so my skills are current.

Need to cut this short. The cool off Misting system just went on. 108 degrees yesterday. Didn't phase me. There is a difference between humidity and dry heat.

Scottsdale, AZ Starbucks and the evil misting 

New York City

Howard

10 Years of FTD

I was on up to 17 pills a day for 6+ years and tried just about every pill and mixed cocktail the medical community could concoct. The medical community believes I was having a paradoxical reaction to many of the drugs. Ativan made me manic and antidepressants made me depressed and suicidal. Of course since the meds didn't work they gave me over 100 ECT's (shock treatments) and implanted a device in my chest VNS Vagus Nerve Stimulator which is now turned off. I call this pacemaker type device "Space Junk." One of my main reasons for this blog is furthering awareness of FTD as so others will not get misdiagnosed and get mistreated like me. This blog has now crossed 70,000 people. 

I have one of the best FTD specializing neurologists in the country out of Columbia. She has me off all pills. Haven't taken a pill in 3 years. Yes, I have difficulties, but trying to treat FTD with unproven meds is like trying to hit a moving rabbit with a bow and arrow. FTD is a moving target. Constant change and progression of FTD make the type of drug and amount obsolete quickly with side effects causing drastic changes to the FTD'ers behavior and mood. There is a trend to prescribe less pills to those with FTD and lower the dosages. We now belong to the "Magic Pill" society where we are brainwashed into thinking there is a pill cure for everything. Nice fairy tail.

10 years of FTD and I'm doing okay. I hope to have another 10 years to go. My life is probably much rougher in real life than anyone can imagine but so what, I'm living life. I hear from and know many others now with FTD for 10+ years so I know I'm not alone and will be around for a while.

The last few weeks I've been mulling over moving away from NYC. Besides driving myself crazy,  I've been driving everyone around me crazy. I want to thank to thank all my friends who set up the fundraiser to keep me in NYC and I appreciate every penny that's been donated. Though we are in the middle of the fundraiser, I've decided that I will be leaving NYC. I was hoping the fundraiser would give me 3 years or so of stability, but as we all know everyone out there in FTD world is devastating financially. I heard of my first Homeless FTD man a few weeks ago. I'm sure there more out there we don't know about. Luckily his Church has stepped up to help me. Thank God we have religious institutions that are there for people in need. I consider myself to be extremely lucky for everything I have in life.

A few months ago I went to Florida to check out possible places to live. Lake Worth and possibly Tampa are my plan B. Plan A is Arizona. Florida is hot and humid with Arizona being desert hot and dry. Arizona is much closer to Seattle where my teenage children reside. I miss my kids and the Florida is the furthest point in the US from Seattle. 6 hour flight with a 3hr. time difference. I spoke at the Arizona ALFA conference last month and was incredible impressed by the Assisted Living in Arizona which is known to be some of the best in the country. The people I've met from ALFA were extremely nice and have offered to help me out a bit if I decide to move there. FTD is such an isolating and lonely disease. Either people don't want to be around us or we drive everyone away with our madness. I've plenty I want to accomplish and with the right setting and a bit of help, I could make much progress. This blog, the Howard's Brain documentary, the numerous support groups and forums I belong to including my FTD patient group, as well as the book I started and haven't written a word in over a year. It's about halfway done. I've many project and I'm not sure how much time is with me or against me. 

For the last few weeks I've been planning a trip to Arizona and not blogging. Planning is so, so difficult. I used plan and fly 120 flights a year for business and spend about 200 nights in Hotels. I think the only reason I've been successful in still being able to plan. Days on little minutia details for this trip driving me crazy trying to plan and organize. I did find a hotel for $36 a night and rental car for $12 a day. Bedbugs not included.

The Fundraiser is still up. The money that's been donated, was donated to try and help me stay in NYC.   I'm extremely grateful. This money is helping me here now and I will use this to relocate and get settled. If anyone feels upset that there donation won't be used to keep me in my apartment, please contact me or Alice Walton on the Gofundme site and your money will be refunded. As I stated earlier, the fundraiser is still up and any donations made will be used expressly to help me relocate and get settled.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm off to Phoenix. Wish me luck. Nothing like picking up and moving with FTD to someplace where I really no no one. I feel pretty alone here and it's extremely possible that I will wind up totally alone there. My life, my decision. Either way I look for an extremely productive way to finish this life off. 

I want thank Joe Becker, Marc Turkel and Alice G. Walton for all the work setting up the fundraiser. I'd like to keep it running to help me with relocation and get settled, but if they want to take it down I totally understand.

Will be in Arizona for 9 days and would love to visit any of you out there. Will be mostly around Phoenix area with possible trips to Tucson and Flagstaff.

 I'm planning on making Arizona a new beginning and not the beginning of the end. 

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My friends have set up a site to help me since I've run into unforeseen difficulties. Please visit the site below to help me with relocation and resettling. Thank you.

GoFundMe - Help Howard

Thank you all,
Howard

Whose in Control? FTD or Me.

Last night I met a friend at a restaurant called, "Next Door".  The restaurant was about 60% full. I pointed to a street window table that we frequently sit at, motioned to the waiter and went to wash my hands. Upon returning my friend said that we were to sit at an inner 2 person table. Hey, other 4 person tables had 2 people had them. The waiter was there to escort us. My immediate reaction, "Oh, how wonderful" Nah, turned and said, "Fuck This" and we left. Of course my friend was upset, but if I'm paying good money, I want to sit where I usually sit if available. Hey they don't want my money, to bad.


You can say  that I Howard Glick have become a socially undesirable, inappropriate human being. How do I feel about that? To fucking bad.

Having FTD makes you less tolerant for bullshit and has you blurt out exactly how you feel at any given moment. You lose your self control and awareness to a point. Yes, to a Point.

I say exactly what most people think of saying, want to say and don't dare say. My filter is FTD'ed. I act on impulse without restraint to a Point. We all have a sense of inner awareness and guidance. I say and do things that embarrass people and cause many headaches, but it's rarely out of control to cause a major incident. When I say or do something, I do not realize I'm doing anything wrong. Even after, I usually don't think I've done anything wrong. After a while, hours or days it does hit me and make sense what I did was wrong or didn't make sense. I coined the term last year, "I'm aware that I'm not aware". That's still holds true and this is a hell of a way to live your life.

So where does inner awareness or control take over.  I've never been arrested or had an incident with police  involved or even the threat of a major incident. It's been proven there is no correlation to violence with FTD. Exceptions to the rules like everything in life exist, but there aren't a bunch of crazy, violent FTD'ers out there. If there were, I wouldn't need to be working so hard at making the world aware of FTD. everyone would know. Most of us with FTD suffer the same revolving symptoms as me. We drive everyone crazy, but aren't dangerous to ourselves or others. 

Most of us have some degree of awareness. I've met dozens of FTD'ers over the last couple of years and I know the pain. The pain of living and knowing something is wrong but not being able to put a handle on it. Trying to act normal when your way off base. Everyone telling you your sick and you trying your best to act and be normal when you know in your heart something is wrong. We live with FTD and of course we don't want to be sick and try our best to be normal. Then we're accused of being manipulative or staging an act. 

Those of us with FTD are losing our minds, some slowly and some quickly. It is human nature and spirit to fight and try and be normal and want people to treat us as people, not toddlers or children. We go in and out of lucidity with the revolving door of symptoms. Sometimes more in control and aware, sometimes less. Of course we fight or act out when we feel we're being treated like kids or not right. Having FTD can mean acting bizarre behavior without realizing we're acting bizarre. Of course all this is enough to drive any caregiver insane. 

The wonderful world of FTD. Those with FTD are losing our minds and dying. At the same time we're driving everybody around us we love crazy to the point they get sick and lose there minds.

What is inner awareness and guidance. Something that guides humans and keeps us from getting totally out of control. I've never heard of an FTD'er who murders or commit any horrific crime. FTD'ers are damaged by a rare progressive brain disease, but not totally broken. We cannot be fixed. No cure. But something keep us and all things in nature from just totally losing it. What? Don't know, but it exists. We will only get worse over time. I've had a rough 10 years. I'll keep going for as long as possible but my relief will be death. Hey, everyone dies and I've had a wonderful life, still do. But death will be much needed rest and a break. This losing your mind shit is exhausting :-)

Can FTD'ers make a solid contribution to society. Some can, we're disabled not dead. We all do the best we can under adverse conditions. FTD'ers are losing our minds. Some quicker than others. We know there's no slowing FTD down. No medication to slow it, stop it or cure it. We're living life on luck. It's impossible to convey the constant barrage of symptoms that keep spiraling about our brain. We are literally fighting ghosts all day and night. Can't tell you the sheer determination it takes to write this blog, never mind get through every fucking day.

It's 6:45am. Have been writing the above blog for days. Used to whip though them quickly.Things are getting tougher. Of course things will be getting easier with me probably going to be forced to move away in the next few months :-) Starting over with very little support, never mind getting through a move. I'm still committed to making the best possible life for myself and I'll do what I need and have to do. I will keep living and pushing the envelope. 

Just did over an hour of filming for "Howard's Brain". It's going to be a great documentary that Joe Becker will make some day. Chances are I'll never see it, but I know what's in it having unfortunately lived it. It will be excellent for awareness and extremely entertaining. 

Close to 7am and I'm toast. Finished with my productivity for the day. I feel like my writing at this point has become blabbering. Hell of a life. A good life and I'm still writing, filming advocating and living.

* BTW - My friend and I ate at a different restaurant after leaving "Nest Door". When we finished our meal we passed "Next Door". The table by the window was still empty. I rapped on the window to get the waiters attention while pointing to the empty table :-) Tip blown asshole. My friend ran quickly away embarrassed. FTD

* Casper the cat from a previous blog will recover from it's numerous injuries. The cat incurred $6,000 in medical expenses.

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My friends have set up a site to help me since I've run into unforeseen difficulties. Please visit the site below for a further explanation and to help. Thank you.

GoFundMe - Help Howard

Howard

Assisted Living

Scottsdale Memory Care

 

This is Scottsdale Arizona Memory Care. I was invited to tour this and other facilities while visiting in Phoenix for the ALFA Assisted Living Federation conference. Arizona is a leading state in senior care with so many retirees there. Before I traveled to Arizona for the conference, I was asked if I wanted to visit some assisted living facilities. My answer was no thank you, I've visited enough in NY.

For a little history, I've already visited many assisted living in NYC and each one was more disgusting than the other. I've written freely that I welcome death before living there. The final one I visited in Riverdale was surrounded by million dollar  brownstones. Inside the stench of urine was overpowering. Lumpy mattresses, bicycle cable locks securing residents belongings from thievery. One of my friends from "Memory Club" said to me during the tour, "this is a place to die, not to live". They did take Medicaid though. Whoopee.

My friends always joke with me that when I check in to one of these places they would have a, "Dress up Howard Day" and take the kids/grandkids to visit me. They'd dress me up in elaborate costumes and makeup while I vegetize. Dorothy from Wizard of Oz, Alfred Hitchcock, etc. One visit to one of these house of horrors and no one would return.

It was arranged for me to visit some sites in Arizona with me being told it was different. Rita, my lovely persistent guide, wouldn't take no for an answer. What I found is shown in the pics above. A beautiful facility run by caring, loving people. Peggy and Dawn met me and showed me around. The people that worked there were experienced long term workers that cared. This was also the first assisted living facility I've been to that has experience with FTD'ers. They've had 3 FTD residents. Not one in NY did. Not only did they have experience, they really were interested in giving the best possible care and were asking me questions. Unbelievable, people actually acting like people should. We also discussed a possible small wing being dedicated to FTD. Just the fact we were discussing it was a miracle to me. Every place I've been to up to know not only didn't know what FTD was, they didn't want to know. Couldn't give a shit. Just interested in selling there services.

The residents at Scottsdale Mem. Care were actually happy. Felt like I was in a wing of the Raddison resort I was staying at. I want to thank Dawn and Peggy for the time they spent with me, showing me what assisted living could and should be like. Hopefully one day I'll be checking into that or similar resort. Oh, Scottsdale Memory Care takes Medicaid, Whoopee :-) BTW - I don't have Medicaid, but many FTD'ers out there do. There should be a rush of FTD'ers now looking to relocate. Anyone in FTD World knows the nightmare assisted living is for us.

For more information, brochure etc. go to Scottsdale Memory Care or call Dawn Romayo at 480-656-4084

BTW - I wouldn't be me if I didn't do due diligence and checked into complaints for them and the owning corporation: "Encore Senior Living".  Couldn't find any complaints. Seems like this just happens to be a well run organization. Imagine that. Encore Senior Living has assisted living facilities in: Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Florida and Illinois.

Well, I'm still in NYC and don't know if I can remain. Arizona has just moved into my confusing FTD life of where I can and possibly want to live. My children Myles 15 and Chelsea 19 are in Seattle which is 2:30 hr flight from Phoenix. It would be nice to be closer to them. Arizona has always been on my short list with me loving the Sedona, Tucson and Phoenix areas. Heat - Big deal, lived in Israel. 

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My friends have set up a site to help me since I've run into unforeseen difficulties. Please visit the site below for a further explanation and to help. Thank you.

GoFundMe - Help Howard

Howard

FTD Awareness Issues

Arizona ALFA Conference

Standing "O"

(10 sec)

I texted a friend to see how she's doing. B texted back that her cat fell or slipped out her apartment window. She lives on the 5th or 6th floor. Her cat is in critical condition and fighting for it's life.

I texted back, "Nasty cat from what I remember". I only met the cat briefly once.

Didn't realize what I was writing. I was surprised when she wrote me at length how angry she was with  me and how I should wait before writing because I've FTD. How the cat was a lot sweeter than I'll ever be yadayada. I wrote back a couple of times apologizing profusely saying I was sorry but it was my disease, not me.

It's been about 4 or 5 days and still haven't heard a word from B. This is a friend that has always been kind to me and checks up on me every couple of weeks. Not to many of those left in my life. I did see a pic of the feline on the web with an IV tube in it, read it broke all its toes and other stuff as well. Will take months of recovery till healed.

I had absolutely no control or awareness about what I wrote about her cat. No realization at all that what I wrote was wrong till I got her response. As I sit here drinking my first cold beer of a Friday night, I still don't give a rats ass about the cat. Means absolutely nothing to me. This is FTD. I do miss my friend who is gone, maybe forever.

Those of you reading this might be apt to judge me about Casper the cat. Would you rather I lie. I wasn't this way before I got sick and I'd rather be honest as to further awareness of what a dreadful disease this is than sugarcoat. If this is to much for you, go read the funnies.

Another friend bites the dust. An FTD'ers world gets smaller and smaller. We continue to lose family and friends till there's just about no one left.

LOL - Still nursing my first beer and thinking of what I wrote to my support group. Earlier today I posted in the  FTD Patient Support Group how bored and lonely I was. How I hate holidays because I'm always alone except Thanksgiving. Memorial Day with zero plans. Guess I'll get BBQ Chinese Spare Ribs take out. Be a bit festive. The phone has rung once since I returned a week ago from Phoenix. That was a friend kind enough to call me to tell me they were taking my fundraiser ad down from there web page. No big deal. Sort of guessed it was going to happen. Violated there web policy. 

Any guesses to why I am alone?

Not looking for pity, a violin player or to be rescued. It is What it is. 

I have FTD and I am not alone.

* A local FTD'er just contacted me about getting together this weekend. How's that for a happy ending.

My friends have set up a site to help me since I've run into unforeseen difficulties. Please visit the site below for a further explanation and to help. Thank you.

GoFundMe - Help Howard

Happy Memorial day 

Arizona ALFA Conference

 

Phoenix went great. ALFA - Assisted Living Federation Association conference has come and gone. It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. It began months ago when I was contacted by ALFA asking if I'd be interested in being a speaker. The Arizona ALFA committee and I had multiple Skype meetings about the conference. I learned it was to be in front of 250-300 members. 

I'll be forever grateful to Arizona ALFA for giving me this opportunity. Inviting someone with FTD or any type of dementia to talk to a large audience for 2 hours takes tremendous courage and vision. I can't say enough how the staff of ALFA has been on top of this since inception. Crystal and Rita had every detail worked out from talking points, travel arrangement, speaking as well as taking tours to multiple assisted living sites. This was as fine tuned an organization as I've ever run across. It was shocking and refreshing. Being sick with FTD I'm used to dealing with all sorts of agencies and Bozo's out there in society. It's disheartening to be kind in expressing how I really feel. 

Since being invited to speak at this conference I've heard nothing but how Arizona is a leader in assisted living care in the United States. Anyone who follows my writing knows how I've visited multiple sites in NYC and how I probably prefer death than to be checked into one of these house of horrors. Now I've visited multiple sites in Arizona and broken bread with many involved in making Az successful and there is no question that Arizona is the real deal with Assisted Living and there making a concerted effort to learn about FTD and take care of us in a well informed, respectful way.

I'm not easily impressed with any organization to say the least, but Arizona ALFA impressed the hell out of me. As with all well run successful businesses it's leadership that makes the difference. Karen Bono is the President\CEO of Arizona ALFA. I only met Karen briefly, but constantly heard from the people around her what an amazing person she is. Karen is a trailblazer for Arizona Assisted Living and visionary who is known and respected nationwide. Karen is on top of her game being named to numerous legislative task forces a guiding force in assisted living. No question that Ms. Bono is one great woman whose path is making a significant difference in many lives. One can only hope a hidden gem like this can move up to be a leader on a national level. I can only give her my wholehearted thanks in making one of my dreams come true and having the guts to let an FTD'er speak at her conference. Hey, Arizona is now firmly on my map when LTC becomes necessary. I can hear my friends on Team Howard moaning now.

The ALFA conference is the exact audience I dream of getting in front of. Long term care is a nightmare for patients, caregivers and these facilities. FTD awareness could go a long way here.

Of course I was well organized in heading to the conference. Had months to prepare my Power Point presentation and get everything together. Months turned to weeks and weeks to days. The day before I flew to the conference I hadn't had shit done. Absolutely nothing. I tried and tried every f-ing day, but it didn't happen. Oops, forgot that I had FTD. 

Was in a panic and wrote to Sharon Denny of AFTD quoting the "Astronauts Prayer". 

"Please Lord, don't let me fuck this up".

In my heart I knew everything would work out great and sent out a bunch of emails proclaiming I would nail this. I eat, breathe and drink FTD 24hrs a day. This was a defining moment in my life and there was no way I was going to screw it up. I was addressing a group that owned and operated assisted living for the state of Arizona. My mission was to have them leave leave and not only know what FTD is, but to have the knowledge of how to have there residences better serve there client/patients with FTD.

I told them the Howard Glick story and explained to them this isn't about me. Howard Glick and "Howard's Brain" is about every patient, caregiver and person suffering the horrible effects of FTD world. The years of misdiagnosis, losing loved ones, family thrown into turmoil, career ending abruptly, getting financially ruined and my total loss of hope culminating with a 4 day coma after a failed suicide attempt. Then the comeback. Disregarding my new partner FTD and finding a way to work around everything. Starting my blog which has crossed 68,000 readers, making an FTD documentary "Howard's Brain" which has about 200 hours filmed, starting the first and only FTD Patient Support Group with over 65 members, countless work with other FTD caregiver groups and forums and now a public speaking engagement. All this with no caregiver. If I had a caregiver I'm not sure if my survivor mode instinct wouldn't be in overtime like it is now.


We took frequent question and answer breaks. I showed "It is What it is", the "Howard's Brain" Kickstarter trailer and the current  GoFundHoward fundraiser my friends have put together to help me in my current situation.

We discussed at length behavioral issues and symptoms. How these problems effect life of everyone at assisted living and possible solutions in dealing with an FTD resident.

I explained my own quagmire of being forced to leave NYC. How staying in NYC is now dependent on a fundraiser by friends and loved ones. The fear I won't make it elsewhere without a support network. How I absolutely hate how my life being FTD dictated and how I just feel like hitting the road.

One man stood up in toward's the end of the conference and asked of everyone to collect donations for me. I thanked the man and am extremely grateful for any and all help, but honestly felt so embarrassed and humiliated. My life as a successful businessman has now come down to fundraisers and people offering financial aid. I've never been unemployed a day in my life and never needed a penny from anyone. I was handed an envelope after the my session with $800. Thank you Arizona ALFA members. This has been added to the  fundraiser under your name. Any others that want to help me continue on, your donations are deeply appreciated.

GoFundHoward

(CLICK)

I've had an absolutely wonderful life and still do. Arizona ALFA helped me attain a dream. A speaking engagement to a group where FTD awareness will make a big difference in many lives. I'm hoping there will me many more ALFA conferences and other speaking engagements in my future. I'm hoping this is just the beginning of my crusade to further awareness of FTD.          I'm ready to hit the road!

I'm sitting here laughing out loud at Darling Coffee, miles from my apartment. I've absolutely no idea how I'm going to make it home. I'm totally exhausted from writing. Hope this blog comes out okay. No energy to edit or even reread it.  I'll make it home, I always do.

Please share this blog and success story!!

Howard

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I've heard my appearance was an overwhelming success. Here are some of the first comments by attendees. I didn't add the attendees names because permission wasn't granted.

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Good evening Howard!  I cannot tell you enough what a blessing you are.  You gave the Arizona ALFA conference attendees the best two hours that they have had at our event in a very, very long time.  You brought peace to many that never had a chance to see their loved ones properly diagnosed, and you provided information on FTD that cannot be duplicated.  We will forever to greatful and you now have assisted living providers across Arizona supporting you!

Crystal

Assistant Director ALFA - Arizona Assisted Living Association.

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WOW!! What a great testament to the power of what you do, Howard. We all thank you for the great conference. It's all the buzz.
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Today I learned for the first time in my life from a funny, smart and courageous man that my dad probably has a disease called FTD, the symptoms, behaviors, and the misdiagnosis for 6 ½ years. I thought OMG he is speaking about my father.

His name is Howard Glick and I highly recommend to each of my loved ones and friends to visit is website and blog to learn about this rare disease which is almost always misdiagnosed as depression, Bi Polar disorder, manic depressive, etc., etc. and in my fathers case never diagnosed. FTD is Frontotemporal Degeneration/Dementia.

This was a powerful two hours for me and it gave me a true understanding of WHY my father was different from others. It instantly healed all my ill feelings and allowed me to find an inner peace.

I love you all and could not wait to share this with each of you and even though my dad is not here…..I know he now finally knows.

Hi Howard,

This morning I heard you speak at the ALFA conference in Arizona and I just wanted to tell you how so fuckin' inspiring you are!!! Excuse the language. You were the absolute best motherfuckin' speaker in the house! It's hard for me to even imagine what you're going through but I want you to know that your speech today will stay with me forever. I will donate what I can to you & your cause b/c it's an amazing thing that you're doing. Congratulations on doing what you love & being damn good at it!

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Howard, I was at the ALFA conference and really enjoyed your session. I am an assisted living nurse and learned so much from you and your experiences. Thank you so much. Looking forward to following your blog.

Howard, you did an AMAZING job and you opened so many eyes as well as healed wounds for many that never knew their loved one(s) had FTD. You are opening doors and spearheading a movement that will change the future of FTD research and the lives of those living with it. THANK YOU!!

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Howard, you did an AMAZING job and you opened so many eyes as well as healed wounds for many that never knew their loved one(s) had FTD. You are opening doors and spearheading a movement that will change the future of FTD research and the lives of those living with it. THANK YOU!!