Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the wonderful work nationally known quilter - Ami Simms has done in raising money for Alzheimer's research. Ami's mother was diagnosed many years ago with the disease and eventually died from it. The newest exhibit - Alzheimers Illustrated: From heartbreak to Hope" opens in January, 2011 and travels until December, 2015. It will visit many venues throughout the US during that time. The exhibit features 182 quilts, all 6" wide and 7 feet high. The quilts are "name quilts" featuring 55 purple patches on each one. Each patch has the name of someone who presently has or has died from this dreaded disease.
The patches are sewn with the wrong side facing out. They are washed out and dull while the brighter right side is on the inside - never to be seen again, such as the fate of a person with Alzheimers.

There will be over 10,000 names.

I had the honor of being able to quilt one of these pieces. It's been very moving to see a project of such enormous proportions come together so beautifully.

My husband's cousin - Henry Johannes died from Alzheimers. He was one of the dearest, nicest people I've ever known and in the end he knew no one; it was a heartbreak. It makes me stop and think and thank God for my good health.

Have a wonderful evening!