Dr. Scott Russell with some of his Alzi Animals
Dr. Darla Shaw modeling some What the Zel bling.
Dr. Scott Russell and Dr. Darla Shaw talking to elementary school students about Alzheimer’s.
Two years ago I interviewed Dr. Scott Russell for a news article. At one time, Scott was a high powered executive for global institutions. But after a double diagnosis of early on-set dementia/alzheimer’s, his life completely changed. Now Scott uses his time and energy fundraising for a cure to Alzheimer’s, the disease which began to take over his mind while in his late 50’s.,
When I met Scott he was already a national spokesperson for early onset Alzheimer’s. He has spoken in San Antonio to over 2,000 people at a program honoring President Ronald Regan. There, he spoke on his struggle with early on-set Alzheimers and the need to stay as mentally and physically active as possible. He has also been designated as an Alzheimer’s Ambassador for the State of Connecticut, meeting with legislative members to discuss what needs to be done in regard to his disease.
Meeting with Scott was a life changing experience for me. Never have I met a more charismatic person, with a greater zest for life, and a stronger passion to help people better understand the disease with which he is living.
With contacts in the corporate world and experience with fundrasing, Scott uses his efforts to raise funds to conquer this disease. Alone, Scott has raised a considerable amount of money for the Alzheimer’s Association, but the fundraising efforts of which he is most proud has to do with his Alzi Animals. He purchases stuffed animals from distributors and flea markets and then uses his artistic abilities to paint these animals according to their personality. He decides where the animals are from, gives them names and accessorizes them accordingly. These animals are then donated and sold at Alzheimer’s walks. One hundred percent of what is made on these animals goes to Alzheimer’s research.
Since meeting Dr. Russell, the two of us have combined our talents. We go into classrooms from third grade and up and talk about the brain on Alzheimer’s, what it is like to have Alzheimer’s and how we can help children and their families that are dealing with the disease. We are the only national program of this type to date.
Our program has also expanded to include visits to talk to our state legislators, kids’ walks for Alzheimer’s, visits to nursing home, and even the writing of our own book, Silly Mr. Scott, which will be published in October of 2013. The book aims to help children better understand what Alzheimer’s means when it affects an adult in their lives.
Without Dr. Scott Russell, inspirational programs such as this would not be available to students in our area. I only hope that there are others out there who might want to start a similar program. Alzheimer’s is no longer just thought up as an old people’s disease.
To learn more about Scott and his programs go to www.scottsalzianimals.info
Darla Shaw