Founder’s Message
My Dear Friends:
My name is Tony Friguls and I wish to share this story with you. Most probably, my experience may be considered just one more statistic; but for me it was tragic and life changing. My story is not unique; in 2023, it is estimated that there are more than 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s in the United States; 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
Back in 2004, I had no clue what Alzheimer’s Disease really was.
I was 57 and my wife, Maria Friguls, was 54 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Regrettably she passed away at age 67 on July 13, 2018.
During those 13 years, I learned quickly and in the hardest way what Alzheimer’s really was. I came to know all its many different symptoms such as memory loss, disorientation, language problems, unpredictable and inappropriate behavior, personality changes, restlessness, agitation, sleep disturbance, loss of speech, loss of motor skills and increased frailty.
Yes, Alzheimer’s is a slow progressive, totally irreversible, and degenerative disease with NO CURE and NO HOPE; its only definitive outcome is unfortunately death!
My family plan for an eventual active retirement of leisure and travel during our later years was quickly replaced with the challenging, frustrating, and prolonged routine, albeit an amazing and rewarding experience, of providing continuous 24/7 assistance in all aspects of daily living including medical attention, physical safety, nourishment, hygienic conditions, and financial wellbeing for almost fourteen years.
I thanked God for having given me health, strength, and financial means to care responsibly for Mari.
Sadly, most other Alzheimer’s caregivers do not possess such blessings and their experiences usually put them at risk of becoming “secondary patients” due to the dreadful impact resulting from their efforts providing the necessary care to others.
I always questioned myself; how do other families and caregivers, lacking the financial and human resources, appropriately care for someone diseased with Alzheimer’s?
I am sure many of you may have also experienced firsthand the devastating effects from this disease and clearly understand the mission of Baba’s Bunch Foundation in assisting Alzheimer’s families and caregivers.
On behalf of all those unpaid Alzheimer’s caregivers and their families, who are fighting or who have fought, this debilitating disease, day-in and day-out, 24/7, I would like to extend to every one of you my sympathy and heartfelt for you are doing, thank you for visiting our website and hopefully decide to support our mission.
Welcome! and may God continue blessing you amply as you continue sharing His many blessings with others.
Tony Friguls
Co-Founder and President
