Leeanne Chames

We're glad you've found our book, Breaking Dementia. This was a collaboration between Rick Phelps and me, it is a collection of our writings over the last 9 years since Rick's diagnosis of EOAD and my Mom and Mother-in-law's diagnoses of dementia.

We aren't professionals, I'm a homemaker, a wife, a Mom and a devoted daughter and daughter-in-law. But these things have given me insight into this world of dementia, as being a patient has given Rick insights and understanding also. This experience and knowledge is worth everything as we try to figure out what is happening and how we can deal with it.

You won't be disappointed as you take this journey with us. You'll know that you're not alone and you'll learn how to cope with all of this. And when you're facing something that has no fix, those things mean the world.

Here's a little more about us:

Rick Phelps was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease in June of 2010 at just the age of 57. After seeing the need for accurate information and real-time support for people affected by dementia, he created Memory People, Inc., a dementia support and service organization. Rick and his wife Phyllis June live in Coshocton County, Ohio, with their daughter and her family close by. Awareness is a cornerstone of their lives as they share their knowledge and experience with others in this dementia journey.

Leeanne Chames lives in Washington state with her husband, Louis, and their kids and grandchildren nearby. Leeanne lost her mother-in-law to Alzheimer's disease in September of 2012, and Vascular dementia claimed her own mom just eight months later. Supporting others in this journey is her passion after watching these two amazing, beautiful women slip away, and now living in the aftermath of their loss. Leeanne works with Rick to support the members of Memory People, and on special projects and programs to help all who are affected by dementia.

Rick and Leeanne work to support the members of Memory People™, a dementia support group on Facebook that Rick created after his diagnosis. They also work on projects and programs to educate and aid all who are affected by these diseases. "We don't have a cure, but we do have each other, and that means the world."

If you are in need of support for this journey of dementia, join us at Memory People on Facebook. No one has to be alone in this, we are here to help you get through today and then face whatever comes tomorrow... not just surviving these days, but living them to fullest. We are Breaking Dementia, together.