[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING MR. MICHAEL ELLENBOGEN AND WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY

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                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of World Alzheimer's 
Day, my constituent, Michael Ellenbogen, wrote a touching excerpt 
detailing his experience with early onset Alzheimer's disease. 
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that 
attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of 
memory thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes.
  Alzheimer's disease is the most expensive disease in America, and is 
the only one of the top ten causes of death in America that can't be 
prevented, cured, or even slowed. It is important to work with brave 
people like Michael to raise awareness and take action on this issue as 
a legislative body. Please see Michael's touching words below:

       It's been over a year since my last writing and since that 
     time I have declined even more. As you see, this disease is 
     slowly robbing me of all of my skill sets and it is becoming 
     so much harder to be a positive person in our society. I 
     cannot even enjoy the hobbies I once loved. This is by far 
     the worst way one can die. I cannot imagine the toll it's 
     taking on my wife because it's like a never ending grieving 
     process and one cannot even see the end in sight, just the 
     horror that's coming.
       Dementia, including Alzheimer's is the most expensive 
     disease we face. It is costing us more than heart disease and 
     cancer. I believe it to be the third cause of death in the 
     United States. Breast cancer, heart disease and HIV have all 
     made tremendous progress since the federal government made 
     significant investments into research. Comparable investments 
     must be made for Dementia so we can accomplish the same 
     successes, while saving millions of lives and trillions of 
     dollars.
       Senator Pat Toomey recently stated at a Finance Committee 
     Hearing that circumstances have changed historically, and as 
     such we should be changing the way we fund this disease. I 
     have been saying this for years.
       Please make my life count and make it worthwhile for me in 
     having this disease. I believe we could be at the tipping 
     point. Make the hard choices; increase funding for 
     Alzheimer's disease and reallocate existing funding sources. 
     Do everything necessary to ensure that Alzheimer's disease 
     gets the exposure, commitment and funding necessary to change 
     the course of the disease.
       Regards, Michael Ellenbogen.

  Michael Ellenbogen--Advocate for all of those living with dementia, 
who can no longer speak, write, or have passed.

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