Our Story (so far)
Betty’s Love pursues the essence of the Lovingest person you might ever meet: Betty Jayne Penny Gavin, who did ‘ordinary’ things with extraordinary Love – despite living with Alzheimer’s for more than 25 years. To date, my beloved Mom, three uncles, two aunts, and both grandfathers have journeyed through some form of dementia. For nearly 30 years, I didn’t know where to get support or find answers. Heck, I didn’t even know what questions to ask!
When Mom passed in 2005, there still wasn’t one place providing the care, compassion, and, most important, the Love Is an Action Verb I believed she needed and I know she deserved. And I was (still) lost.
So, in 2006, I began Betty’s Love in Compellment, so that everyone living with cognitive disabilities will get the support, information, direction, and hugs they need throughout their unique and unchartable journeys. We established our 501(c)(3) status in 2007 and have developed beyond my plans (and sometimes my druthers) and certainly beyond (even) my Dreams and imagination.
Betty’s Love challenges the way people think and talk about Alzheimer’s disease and embraces, empowers, and engages people who battle Alzheimer’s, dementia, and all cognitive disabilities – and their Families, Friends, Caregivers, and Communities. Our site is designed to make all of Betty’s Love available to your Family– wherever in the world you live.
Now, Betty’s Love reaches Families like yours on five continents. So, I pray simply to be sufficient and Faith-full – and, when I’m neither, to be tireless and courageous anyway. I am humbled – and grateful beyond measure. And I remain all Compellment.
Please read more about Betty’s Vision of Joy. Even if you don’t work with Betty’s Love, please remember: In Betty’s Love, you and your Family are never alone – and, always, you are Loved.
Blessings for a Love-filled, Joyous, brain-healthy day. Consider yourself hugged …
… by me and my Mom!
Maureen M Gavan,
fortunate, grateful, and proud daughter of Joe and of Betty, who battled Alzheimer’s disease
for more than 25 years with Grace, courage, and, always, Love
Founder, C.L.O., and Executive Director
Betty’s Love Alzheimer’s Charities