It was not about “who was there.” History was made in a different sort of way. Last Thursday, the Health and Community Resource Committee (HCRC) of the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce made a personal best, over 140 participants. However, this quarterly forum was not about “who was there.” This was not your typical “Community Dinner Theater.”

Over 140 people came together to talk about an issue that is a large part of their lives. Each day all the folks that were in that room for the forum deal with a health issue that is so overwhelming, people sometimes try to forget about it.

On 10/17/07 at St. Mark’s Church 140 people shared a light dinner provided by Old Pueblo Grill to engage in education on healthcare. However this forum was not about their medical issues but about those of their loved ones. To these people it was so much important than if it was they themselves in the situation.

Sometimes it’s hard to think about our true love of one another. I truly feel honored that for an evening this community came together for some heartfelt talk about Alzheimer’s disease. The community members in HCRC who put together this “performance” are the most gifted in speaking about this subject. It is part of who they are.

That is the thing about Alzheimer’s that is so unique. It is not really only about the patient. It is about the community of loved ones who surround and support the vulnerable one.

For a night over 140 people came together about a health care issue. The best thing about it was that “the patient” wasn’t there.

It’s a start. Hope to see you at the next Forum.

Enjoy the Journey,
Bob

For more information about upcoming Forums by HCRC contact the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce at 297-2191 or at www.the-chamber.com

Bob Oro is a husband, parent, dentist and children’s advocate in Oro Valley. He is also proud to be the Chairperson of the HCRC