Found: Missing 84-Year Old Woman

I also live on Mendel Ave.and Ellen Sanders is my grandmother.  Ellen is well looked after, in fact, she lives next door to her son (my father) and myself.The news paper was incorrect in posting that she has Alzheimer’s.  She has been diagnosed with dementia by her doctor.The reason she was missing was not because she was disoriented and became lost, it was because the dog’s leash became tangled around her legs and she fell because the ground was wet, and could not get back up. For Mr. 101 Mendel Ave to suggest that she wanders around the neighborhood aimlessly lost while walking her dog is not true.  Alzheimer’s is a disease that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn and carry out daily activities.  I see my grandmother walking her dog every day and she follows the same route each time. In fact, you yourself stated in your post that you “see Miss Ellen and sugar on a daily basis”.  Don’t you think that walking a dog on a daily basis consistently using the same path shows she still has her memory? Frankly, you haven’t lived on Mendel Ave. long enough to pass judgement The neighbors that have lived on Mendel for some time know exactly who Miss Ellen is and take the time to speak to her as she is walking her dog. Your suggestion of notifying authorities when you see her walking her dog is a waste of tax payers money.  The truth is, as you are “bothered” by her walking past your house everyday I am “bothered” that each time i drive by your house you are outside smoking your nasty cigarettes creating a health hazard to others and damaging our mother earth. When you have had any years of experience in taking care of the elderly (as my loving parents have with my grandmother) you can voice your opinion. Until then, show some compassion for our elderly..just because you get old doesn’t mean you have no rights.  On a better note…thank you to all who helped us locate Ellen. It was nice to see a community pull together to help each other out. Ellen is doing good.

Thank you for your concern neighbor. However, I feel I must address the inaccuracy of this post. This incident had nothing to do with Alzheimers. It was a very unfortunate accident. She was out on her routine walk with her dog, Sugar, and became tangled within her leash. Because the ground was wet, she slipped and was unable to get up. My grandmother worked until the age of 82. I feel she deserves a little enjoyment in her life. If you want to deprive her of something as simple as a mere walk down the street with her dog, you are a very cruel person. Oh, and please know, I’m sure there are a few things the authorities would love to be alerted to on your part.