At 83, Mr. Hockey is still in demand and on the move. Gordie Howe is about to embark on another series of fundraisers to support dementia research. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a personal cause. The disease killed his wife, Colleen, in 2009 and is beginning to affect him. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a little bit worse than last year, but pretty close to about the same,\u201d son Marty said. \u201cHe just loses a little bit more, grasping for words. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe worst part of this disease is there\u2019s nothing you can do about it.\u201d <\/p>\n
While the long-term effects of concussions have been very much in the news lately, the family is hesitant to link the Hall of Famer\u2019s condition to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the degenerative brain disease typically found in autopsies of people who have had multiple head injuries, including more than a dozen former NFL and NHL players. <\/p>\n
Concussions weren\u2019t tracked when Howe played, so it is impossible to know how many he sustained. And he didn\u2019t start showing signs of dementia until his late 70s. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think anybody can really answer that question,\u201d Marty said of a connection to CTE. \u201cHe went for so long without any symptoms whatsoever. You don\u2019t have to be an athlete or in contact sports to get dementia.\u201d <\/p>\n
Howe\u2019s dementia is currently mild and his family members haven\u2019t sought a diagnosis of exactly what kind he has. They did that with Colleen, who died at 76 of Pick\u2019s disease. The rare form of dementia is marked by changes in mood, behavior and personality, followed by memory loss similar to that experienced in Alzheimer\u2019s. <\/p>\n
Another son, Murray, a radiologist, says his father\u2019s symptoms don\u2019t fit either Alzheimer\u2019s or Pick\u2019s. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has what we call mild cognitive impairment,\u201d Murray said. \u201cHis brain power is not what it used to be. In terms of the prognosis and diagnosis, it\u2019s still wide open.\u201d <\/p>\n
Howe has short-term memory loss, difficulty speaking and some confusion in the evening when the sun goes down. The latter, called \u201csundowning,\u201d occurs in people with dementia, although the cause is unclear. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s always worse in the evening,\u201d Marty said. \u201cIt\u2019s like when the sun goes down, something flips the switch.\u201d <\/p>\n
But Howe\u2019s personality hasn\u2019t changed and he continues to recognize his family and friends. <\/p>\n
Howe\u2019s stamina and power were legendary during his 33 seasons of pro hockey. Physically, he\u2019s doing well for a man about to turn 84 in March. His sons say Howe likes to do household chores and go fishing, one of his favorite pastimes. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still Mr. Hockey and that\u2019s what is so great because he\u2019s just such a pleasure to have around,\u201d Murray said. \u201cHe\u2019ll wake up first thing in the morning and there\u2019s a bunch of leaves outside and he\u2019ll rake for three hours. He\u2019s so pleasant and upbeat. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he first started showing signs of memory loss, we were concerned it was Alzheimer\u2019s and it was just going to go downhill.\u201d <\/p>\n
It\u2019s possible Howe\u2019s dementia is vascular in nature. He suffered from heart disease later in his life and required the implantation of a coronary stent about a decade ago. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had a couple episodes of getting faint or passing out around that time,\u201d Murray recalled. \u201cIt\u2019s possible he had a couple of mini-strokes that picked off some of the parts of his brain that you need to be able to retain short-term memory. That\u2019s my theory and what his family physician is thinking.\u201d <\/p>\n
Howe had episodes of forgetfulness about six years ago while caring for his wife. The Howe children recognized the signs they\u2019d previously seen in their mother. <\/p>\n
The hockey great also was tired and not looking after himself, which made his condition worse. A program of regular physical activity has helped him combat his dementia. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe can easily walk four miles on very hilly terrain without a problem,\u201d Murray said. \u201cWhen he first came to us, he couldn\u2019t walk 100 yards up a slight incline without having to stop because of chest pains. It was a complete turnaround for him.\u201d <\/p>\n
After Colleen Howe\u2019s death, the Howes were approached by the Toronto health organization Baycrest to put Gordie Howe\u2019s face on a fundraising campaign for Alzheimer\u2019s. <\/p>\n
Affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest specializes in mental diseases of the elderly. <\/p>\n
Howe, accompanied by Marty, makes public appearances at an annual series of Scotiabank Pro-Am hockey tournaments across Canada. More than $16 million has been raised by the Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer\u2019s. <\/p>\n
Howe is scheduled to attend a Canucks game in Vancouver on Thursday night to promote a Scotiabank Pro-Am in that city later this year. <\/p>\n
Marty says his father plans to help kick off the same tournaments in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto this spring. <\/p>\n
He also will also attend a news conference Thursday afternoon in advance of a tribute in his honor at Friday\u2019s Vancouver Giants game. <\/p>\n
Howe has his photo taken with fans and signs autographs under Marty\u2019s watchful eye at the events. A speech isn\u2019t an option anymore. Fatigue tends to exacerbate Howe\u2019s condition and Marty doesn\u2019t want his father feeling strained. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you see him now, obviously you can kind of tell he\u2019s not firing on all cylinders,\u201d Marty says. \u201cMost people see Gordie and they\u2019re just happy Gordie is talking to them.\u201d <\/p>\n
Marty was alarmed by a decline in his father\u2019s condition before an appearance in Calgary last year, but didn\u2019t want his condition made public until the family had a better handle on his condition. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor people who are dealing with this, you have to have a sense of humor,\u201d he said. \u201cNobody wants to see their family members go through this. It gets harder. Towards the end, it\u2019s really no quality of life whatsoever. Pretty depressing, but you have to find the humor in some of it. Otherwise, it will kill you, too.\u201d <\/p>\n
Marty and Murray are just grateful the dementia hasn\u2019t changed their father\u2019s personality or attitude so far. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re enjoying the times we have now,\u201d Marty said. <\/p>\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014 <\/p>\n
Online <\/p>\n
http:\/\/gordiehowe.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.baycrest.org\/foundation.php<\/a> <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.scotiabankproam.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Go here to read the rest: At 83, Mr. Continue reading
\nGordie Howe's dementia fight personal and public<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"