Married almost 40 years after a poorly worded pick-up line, Ira and Sandy Asherman now live with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.
That was Sandy’s evaluation during a workshop lead by Ira in Glens Falls, New York, more than 40 years ago. She replied, “You can do better…” after he approached her with, “You look familiar.”
For 20-plus years, the two were business partners in Asherman Associates, a New York-based management consulting firm. Ten years ago, she had a scary incident – she could not find her exercise class. She was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and then five years ago, with Alzheimer’s.
“I’m, not sure we cried, but I knew we were heading on a long trip,” Ira says in Antidote’s video.
The Ashermans shared their story with Antidote, a firm that simplifies the process of finding appropriate clinical studies. Antidote reached out to The Caregiver’s Voice and I reached out to the Ashermans.
In one of life’s many ironies, Sandy and Ira’s clients were the research and drug development divisions of pharmaceutical companies and the FDA. While both believe in clinical studies; Sandy’s type-1 diabetes excludes her from participating.
“We need to find drugs that will make a significant difference in people’s lives,” says Ira. “I would love to wake up one morning… and have my wife back.”
Through all the struggles, Ira manages to find and share the joy with the people he interacts with. From his phone greeting to his wish at the end of our call – continue spreading joy. This man’s approach to life lifts me up and makes me smile. Thank you, Ira.
And as for his pick-up line? He didn’t need a better one. For almost 40 years – the last 10 as his wife’s care partner – he finds the strength to stand beside her, and on Mondays they dance.
Pablo Graiver, CEO of Antidote Technologies writes, “In a world where 80% of clinical trials are delayed or closed due to lack of awareness, we use cutting-edge technology to match the right patients with the right trials.”
For more information about clinical trials from Antidote, visit: https://www.antidote.me/stories-of-the-patient-experience-from-patients-themselves
For information about Ira’s Alzheimer’s resource site: http://www.adrcnyc.org/about.htm
