Alzheimer’s and dementia are nothing new to Nicole Goodson, SGLC Director of Rehabilitation. When she was a graduate student, she did her thesis on Pick’s Disease, also known as frontotemporal dementia. At the time, her father-in-law was dying from it. “It’s heartbreaking to go through it,” said Nicole, and I got to live it, along with him, to the very end.” Her grandfather also passed from dementia as did her grandmother on her father’s side.”
Now she’s taki
ng to the boards for the 11th year in a row to make a difference in the lives of those families battling these tragic diseases. An avid runner, Nicole first joined the Seashore Gardens 5K Run & Health Walk as a way to support the place where she works. She’s part of Team Rehab Heart and Sole.
Nicole and her team are employees of Reliant Rehabilitation, which provide the service to SGLC. “We work with residents who have Alzheimer’s and dementia every day, with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy,” said Nicole. “This is not just a job for us. We’re one big family. We care about our residents, and this is a way that we can offer that support.”
“I think it’s really important that people come together as a group to support one another,” she added. “At functions like this, you connect with others. It helps people get through it together, so they don’t feel alone. Especially as the rehab director, I think it’s super important to practice what we preach. Exercise and camaraderie help you be the healthiest version of you. We not only talk the talk, we walk the walk, or in this case, run the run.”
The 14th Annual Seashore Gardens 5K Run & Health Walk and 1 Mile Family Fun Run & Walk will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024, on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. To register, visit the following link: https://seashoregardens.org/5k. For questions, or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Erin Luurtsema at (609) 748-4615 or luurtsemae@seashoregardens.org.
