Member Since 2007
Attending OLLI since 2007 has truly been a lifesaver, helping me slow the progression of my dementia while bringing an immense amount of wellness and structure to my daily life. My journey here began after a 27-year career as an Air Force C4ISR officer — specializing in everything from artificial intelligence and satellites to cloud computing — and a brief stint with the Department of Homeland Security.
During a cross-country family trip in 2005, in my final month of active duty, a sudden call from Walter Reed sent me detouring to the nearest military hospital, which turned into an emergency medical evacuation for specialized treatment. I eventually retired at Nellis Air Force Base as a 100 percent disabled, housebound veteran managing a complex combination of health issues.
But I refuse to let that define me. Although doctors initially diagnosed me with dementia, intensive cognitive therapy and my continued engagement at OLLI led the Department of Veterans Affairs to reclassify my condition as mild cognitive impairment. Today, my medical teams at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, UCLA, and Nellis Air Force Base all agree that living independently and attending OLLI, rather than entering memory care, is the best medicine for my brain.
I treat OLLI as a vital part of my daily health routine. Learning from subject matter experts has given me the perfect toolkit to enhance my “Pristine Inner Experience.” By weaving practices such as iRest Yoga Nidra, dialectical behavior therapy, and System 2 thinking into my daily life, I am actively keeping my mind sharp and my healthcare costs down. Much like volunteering or discovering a new hobby, being part of this community keeps me stimulated, engaged, and thriving.