When Cindy and I hiked across the country along the American Discovery Trail, there were two phrases I recall her saying over and over. The first: “I can’t wait to have grandchildren.” The second: “I’m getting better.” The first tears at my heart, as the likelihood of Cindy seeing grandchildren is not high. However, if there is any chance for this at all it lies in what made her think she’s getting better.
During the hike I witnessed tangible evidence for her claim that she was getting better; for just one example, by the end of the hike she was able to put up our tent by herself. After the hike I started having doubts about her recovery; maybe only the stress was removed and nothing else. With stress still absent her mental health nevertheless was declining further.
Once Cindy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I started researching lifestyle impacts on the disease. I could see a number of ways in addition to stress reduction that Cindy’s mental health might have been helped by the hiking across the country. Specifically I could see how the physical activity of our hike may have played a major role in Cindy repeatedly saying: “I’m getting better,” with just cause.
That “just cause” is research correlating the halt of brain tissue decay with physical activity. Indeed, some research even shows brain tissue capable of healing. Drugs have not produced such results, though not lacking in research well-funded by pharmaceuticals. Since exercise has no potential for profit you won’t find pharmaceuticals throwing away money on that type of research. Nor are their lobbyists wining and dining FDA officials for that purpose.
Yet funds still need to be raised to research the ability of exercise to do what drugs can’t. Our thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail holds so much potential in this regards. In addition to raising awareness and funds for this type of research, such as Dr. Carson Smith’s research at the University of Maryland, there is the potential for Cindy to provide valuable data through exercise more rigorous than likely provided by any other research subject. There also is the potential for Cindy’s pursuit of her dream to inspire others affected by Alzheimer’s to still pursue their dreams as well. Finally, there is the potential for Cindy to feel and say once again, as she did while hiking 5,000 miles across the country: “I’m getting better.”
