Caltech Y Presentation on Alzheimer's

The Caltech Y is a non-profit organization with the mission of enriching the lives of Caltech students and helping them grow into responsible citizens of the world. In support of this mission, the Caltech Y recently provided the community with a powerful and unique online presentation by Caltech Professor and Vice Provost Cindy Weinstein on her upcoming book, "Finding the Right Words: A Memoir about Alzheimer's, Literature and Neurology". Prof. Cindy Weinstein and Dr. Bruce Miller from the Global Brain Health Institute at UC San Francisco shared their experience writing a memoir that combines literature and neurology to tell the story of Cindy’s father’s early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

When Cindy Weinstein was studying to become a professor of literature, her father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Ironically, her love of words was accompanied by his loss of words and much more. Prof. Weinstein and Dr. Miller shared the emotions and grief that many families experience, while giving attendees knowledge about dementia that they need to care for their loved ones. Over 140 guests had the opportunity to ask questions of Prof. Weinstein and Dr. Miller and learn from each other.

Caltech Y Board Member, Sandhya Ravichandran remarked: “The talk was a brilliantly artful interweaving of science explaining the mysteries of the brain effected by Alzheimer’s combined with a poignant recounting of a daughter watching her father slowly losing himself.”

Athena Castro, Executive Director of the Caltech Y explained, "The Caltech Y student leaders coordinate over 80 programs annually; some designed to heighten awareness of ethical, social, and political issues; some to serve the community, and some just to promote fun and relaxation and to provide balance to complement Caltech’s renowned academic curriculum. This webinar was a special program for the community to allow the Caltech family and members of the larger community to engage with experts on this devastating illness facing so many families.”

Prof. Cindy Weinstein, who enjoyed interacting with the audience, reflected on the evening and stated: “It was an honor to share my work with Bruce to the Caltech Y audience. In telling the story of my father’s Alzheimer’s disease, we hope to help families understand the diagnosis and the emotions that often come with it. We also hope to chip away at the cruel stigma that accompanies afflicting 6.2 million people in the US and 44 million in the world.”

If you missed the Caltech Y Friends webinar, there will be another opportunity to hear from the authors. On Thursday, September 9, at 5:00 pm, Prof. Weinstein and Dr. Miller will be featured in the Behind the Book virtual series hosted by Caltech Live! Dr. Catherine Jurca, Caltech professor of English, will be moderating the discussion, followed by a Q&A. Registration for the free event will be open at events.caltech.edu/weinstein