Steve Goetz

 My wife Sonnie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s on September 17, 2004. 

 My name is Steve and I’m Sonnie’s husband, caregiver, lover, cook and bottle washer and I hate to do windows.  I’m 73 years old, retired after 34 years in the fire service and my health is as good as can be expected for my age.  I have some experience as a caregiver as I was the primary caregiver for my Dad for two years followed by my Mother for eighteen months after Dad past away.  I was able to care for Sonnie at home over a 6 year period as she journeyed through the disease of Alzheimer’s.  Sonnie died January 1, 2010.

My wife Sonnie, was born and raised in a small town in Michigan.  She left Michigan when she was 22 years old and moved to California and was working as a beautician when we met.  We were married eight months later and have been married for 47 years.  We have two children, Jake and Joni.  She was a stay at home Mom while our kids were young and didn’t return to the work force until they were in high school.  There was no major health problem up until the Alzheimer’s.  It was in January 2003 that we first felt that something was wrong that went beyond the normal “I can’t find my car key’s etc.”  Sonnie had to ask me where the hot plate holders were kept.  I told her that they were in the same drawer that they had been in for the last 32 years and then I had to show her.  She was 63 years old.

 I’d like to thank the Alzheimer’s Association and KION for giving me the opportunity to perhaps help you or someone you love by sharing our journey.