Some people are just champions. I am struck by this woman's impact in life and now in death. Just so you have all the fact about the winningest D-1 women's basketball coach in the NCAA, check out this video are article on Ms. Summit at: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/pat-summitt-legendary-womens-basketball-coach-dead-64/story?id=40136499.
Ms. Summit was diagnosed at age 59. She did not immediately announce her disease - undoubtedly taking the time to process her own reaction and working through is with her family. My husband was diagnosed a year after she was - when he was 48. She became the famous face of Early-Onset Dementia - Alzheimer's type, for us.
Indeed, I feel like she left us with a puzzle legacy. She gave an interview once - talking about needing to retire earlier than she expected. She mentioned keeping her mind as sharp as possible with puzzles. Paul has so many puzzles - received as gifts from thoughtful people and ones we have purchased to challenge him and keep his mind active. He struggles with most of them now - but they still remind me of that interview.
Ms. Summit's legacy continues through the impact she had on NCAA basketball, on all her players, and most likely in her son. Tyler, I am so sorry for you loss. For your 5 years of loss. And, for those of us who only had the honor of observing her work from afar, perhaps her biggest legacy was the Pat Summit foundation dedicated to Alzheimer's Research and care for those diagnosed. Please check our her website and consider giving to support the ongoing impact of her work and life: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/pat-summitt-legendary-womens-basketball-coach-dead-64/story?id=40136499.
I wish her family and friends and players great peace as you prepare her memorial and remember what was important about her life.
And, thank you Pat Summit for all you have done to help all of those of use touched by Early Onset Dementia!
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