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Jadene Sloan Ransdell January 16, 2026 Recently, I shared that I am working on my second book; this one is about Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s. Part of that work is interviewing some families to learn more about their journey with this dreadful disease. I have heard one message repeatedly from these families, and it’s a message I’ve tried to live by as I raised Matt. This is it: Don’t question your decisions. I went to bed last night and woke this morning doing just that –

Jadene Sloan Ransdell January 03, 2026   In the Spring of 2014, I was told that Matt had Alzheimer’s. If you have read my previous entries, you may remember that I thought he was going to fade away and die within a few short years. As I begin this new year, I am grateful that the diagnosis was extremely premature and I have been blessed with nearly twelve more years of Matt’s unconditional love. The purpose of this blog is to document Matt’s life, aging with Down syndrome. T

Matt signs, "I love you, Mom." His love keeps this Momma Bear fighting for families. Jadene Sloan Ransdell November 22, 2024 As the mother of a son with Down syndrome, Autism, Apraxia, and Alzheimer’s, I’ve been doing this parenting and caregiving gig for over 50 years now. I learned a lot during that time. Many of my lessons came from Matt, my best teacher; some came from professionals who have been part of his journey, and some from other parents and siblings who love and

Jadene Sloan Ransdell September 05, 2024 Countdowns! There are many types of countdowns, and I’ve enjoyed a few throughout my seventy-six years. Of course, as a child, my sister, Jaren, and I had a countdown to Christmas. It started the day after Thanksgiving. (I’m old, and we celebrated holidays in real-time and calendar order when we were young.) One week later, there was a new year to countdown, then a countdown to my birthday. It was short – a mere seven days following t

Jadene Sloan Ransdell September 12, 2022 Welcome to Aging with Down Syndrome Take 2, a blog about supporting my son as he ages with Down syndrome. A Parent Pioneer A pioneer - I never dreamed I would be a pioneer. Pioneers, in my mind, were the folks who sailed in wooden ships across a turbulent sea to reach a place where they could find religious freedom. Pioneers were the people who settled the rugged, wild, untamed wilderness. Thought of as a pioneer by younger parents o

Jadene Sloan Ransdell Originally published October 12, 2017 It's been more than two years since I added to this blog. I can tell you that time has not been wasted and it's been quite a ride. First, Matt is doing well. Although he still shows symptoms of Alzheimer's, the course is slow, and for that I am grateful. He continues to inspire people who take the time to get to know him. I like to think some people get to see his soul, while others are too busy to notice and miss

Jadene Sloan Ransdell Originally published May 8, 2015 Several months ago, I joined a Facebook closed group for caregivers of people with various types of dementia. I did it because I have an aunt with vascular dementia for whom I have Power of Attorney and who I adore like my own mother who passed away in 2002. I have a long-time friend who has Alzheimer’s, and her husband is caring for her (as he fights Lymphoma) and his 97-year-old mother-in-law with dementia of some type

J adene Sloan Ransdell Originally published April 29, 2015 About two weeks ago I had an Alzheimer's emotional overload. That Monday, I read on Faceb0ok of a dear, sweet friend who had to place her beloved husband into a nursing home. He has been diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. This was a brilliant man, one of the pioneers in implant dentistry in this country. He is the love of my friend's life, and she is his. Every picture of them exudes the love between them. Both are C

Jadene Sloan Ransdell Originally published April 11, 2015 About a week ago, I was asked what would be the most help to me as I learned about Matt possibly having Alzheimer's Disease. My response was not clear, I am sure because my thoughts aren't necessarily clear. I remember those days last summer as I came to realize that Down syndrome and Alzheimer's eventually go hand-in-hand. But, where was Matt on this intrepid trail? I didn't know which doctor to approach with the que

Jadene Sloan Ransdell Originally published November 30, 2014 This post has been difficult to start. Nearly six weeks ago I met with Matt's team and Tom Buckley, who has become my Down syndrome and Alzheimer's dementia mentor. I met Tom shortly after I moved to Clearwater and was serving on the board of directors of UPARC, a local program for people with developmental disabilities. Tom was selected as the executive director during my time on the board. He has dedicated his li

Jadene Sloan Ransdell Originally published October 6, 2014 In my last post, I introduced you to young Matt. There is still a lot left unsaid and maybe that will be part of other posts (or maybe a book, as some friends are encouraging me to write). As I type I find many bits and pieces, when put together, create our wonderful man. There is a picture floating around on Facebook that says something to the effect that the events of our past build who we are today. I believe that

Jadene Sloan Ransdell Originally published October 1, 2014 After my first post, I thought it is important that readers get to know who Matt is, because he is so much more than all his diagnoses. Before I share what is happening with Matt as he ages, I want to tell about his life that brought us here. When Matt was six weeks old, our pediatrician called and asked that both my husband, Joe, and I meet with him the next day to discuss the results of a test that had been done i

J adene Sloan Ransdell Originally published September 22, 2014 I share my life with a son who has Down syndrome. His life has been filled with twists and turns that have helped to make me the person I am today. We've been through a lot - Matt and I- from the time we received his diagnosis and he was compared to a puppy, to residential placement in Germany while my husband served in the U.S. Army, and now that he has turned 40. When Matt was a teen he had a seizure in the s