In 2017, my husband Larry; my man, my Soulmate, the Love of my life, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. I often say that

I was lucky in life, because I was lucky in love, meeting Lorenzo on the first night I moved to Chicago, when I was 22 years old.

BUT move forward to 2017 with two beautiful sons, what seemed like overnight, our entire family dynamic changed. While my husband bravely faced this diagnosis, our sons 9 and 13 years old found their way as caregivers to their Dad - as though the roles had been reversed. I grew overwhelmed as I took on a new role, as primary care partner, single mom and breadwinner. 

Very quickly I realised there wasn’t anywhere I could turn to for support or understanding. Dementia seemed to be always seen as an older person's diagnosis - There seemed to be nowhere for support, for a family navigating a journey with a parent or partner diagnosed under the age of 65. I soon realised I wasn’t alone and there were many families navigating similar journey’s with younger-onset dementia diagnoses who were misunderstood and under-resourced.

So with my background in entrepreneurship in starting up schools in Chicago,  I became determined to turn so much darkness, sorrow and denial into something bright, united and driven. 

I imagined a place where families walking this journey could come together and feel safe, seen and understood. I imagined a space where we could heal through community and finding light in times of darkness - I imagined Lorenzo’s House. 

Four years after Lorenzo’s diagnosis,  this thought was no longer just an imagination - but Lorenzo’s House was founded in 2021, with a tagline - ‘We Bring Light’. Our mission -