Cheryl Williams, a 58-year-old originally from Long Island, NY, has spent the majority of her life in Roanoke, VA. She is a devoted mother to three sons, aged 37, 23, and 20, with her younger two sons from her second marriage. Cheryl was married to her husband Paul for 23 years until his passing in January 2020.
In early 2021, Cheryl began experiencing symptoms including numbness around her mouth, slurred speech, and cognitive deficits. After ruling out a stroke, she underwent extensive testing at the University of Virginia, where doctors considered diagnoses such as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Corticobasal Degeneration. Despite a year of thorough investigation, a definitive diagnosis eluded her, although it was clear she had some form of dementia.
Recognizing the need for additional support, Cheryl's eldest son and daughter-in-law in Colorado encouraged her to relocate to be closer to them. Consequently, she filed for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and long-term disability through her work, as her cognitive and speech impairments made it impossible for her to continue her career as a Social Worker. Cheryl moved to Colorado in June 2022 and is now under the care of a neurologist and a Movement Disorders Specialist at the University of Colorado.
Cheryl enjoys walking, swimming, chair yoga, and fellowshipping with her friends at church. She resides in a separate apartment within her son's house. In her search for support, Cheryl discovered Dementia Alliance International in late 2023. She is enthusiastic about volunteering, believing it will enable her to leverage her strengths to help others while also helping herself.