Dee Kassis used to be an avid runner. She’d run 5 miles a day until a back injury sidelined her years ago. Now she’s putting on her sneakers for a good cause: the Seashore Gardens 5K Run & Health Walk on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The Run & Walk is the key fundraiser for Alzheimer’s and dementia outreach and programs.
Dee’s mother Nazle continues to live her best life in SGLC’s Comfort Care neighborhood, a dedicated place for loved ones with dementia. Dee brought her to the states from Lebanon, where her mom he was leaving the stove on, and forgetting it. “She was going to the supermarket and not finding her way home,” said Dee. “One day I went to see her and the house was filled with smoke. She could have died. That’s when I moved her back to the states.”
Ultimately, the family chose SGLC for rehabilitation from a fall and to help keep their mom safe. “I am extremely grateful for everything Seashore Gardens does for my mom and all the people in there. How you treat with dignity and respect. My biggest fear was putting my mom in a nursing home. She is surrounded by friends, the place is immaculate, and she is living her best life.”
Dee reached out to her friends to support Team Naz, named for her mom. So far, 15 people have joined her team. “Some of us will be walking, some will be running. They all said it’s for a good cause, to have some fellowship, and at the same time support this incredible initiative.”
At SGLC, Nazle continues to thrive. “My mom is doing better than ever,” says Dee. “We bring her home each week for family dinner. For two Sundays in a row, she’s asked to go back early. She wanted to be at her home, where she could be with her friends. That warms my heart. She is so happy there.”
