Keeping active with word puzzles and workouts
by Arla Van Almen, FL, USA
I'm now 85 years old with a brace on my left leg and walking with a walker because my balance is bad. I use a wheelchair for long walks. I also have a care-giver now.
My husband, Dick, has Alzheimer's disease as well as Parkinson's disease and lives in a retirement place. This isn't easy because we have been married 63 years, but we adjust. I broke my leg awhile ago and I had to stay in the retirement home where Dick is for a year and a half while it healed and I got back on my feet. It was wonderful to be with my husband then but I decided to move back home. I go to the retirement home often and take treats for everyone.

My memory is just great so I can call everyone there by name and they just love it. Everyone is amazed at how much I can recall. I do those Word Search puzzles all the time and I think they help me keep my mind active. I also work out with a professional trainer three times a week and do exercises in bed regularly. I'm sure this helps keep my body as physically fit as possible.

My daughter, Karen, doesn't seem to have CMT. So far, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren are all right. One of my grandchildren moved down to Florida to be near me and work, so everything is great.