Lucas was 20 years old and loved books more than anything in the world. He worked at the town library, where he helped kids find stories about dragons, space explorers, and talking squirrels. He always remembered where every book belonged—even the tricky ones!
But lately, Lucas had been forgetting little things. One day, he shelved a book about sharks in the fairy tale section. Another day, he forgot the name of his favorite story, even though he’d read it a hundred times.
One afternoon, his little cousin Emma tugged on his sleeve. “Lucas, you put The Pirate Picnic in the cookbook aisle,” she giggled.
Lucas smiled, but it was a tired smile. “I think my brain is playing tricks on me,” he said.
That week, Lucas went to a doctor. After some tests, the doctor said something surprising: “Lucas, you have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.”
“Wait,” Lucas said. “Isn’t that something only older people get?”
“Usually, yes,” the doctor explained. “But sometimes, a person’s brain starts having memory problems much earlier. That’s called early-onset Alzheimer’s. It means your brain is having a harder time keeping track of thoughts, names, and memories. It’s not something you did—it’s just how your brain is wired.”
Lucas felt a little scared. “Will I forget everything?”
“Not all at once,” the doctor said. “And you’ll have people to help you along the way. There are ways to make things easier—notes, reminders, and friends who care.”
Lucas thought about that. The next day at the library, he started making colorful labels for the shelves and sticky notes to help him remember tasks. He also made a Memory Journal, where he wrote down funny moments, favorite book quotes, and kind things people said.
Emma helped too. “You’ll never forget who you are, Lucas,” she told him. “You’re the best book guide ever.”
And even if some memories slipped away like sand in an hourglass, Lucas knew one thing would always stay: the love of the stories—and the people—who made his life special.
The End
About Early Onset Alzheimer’s
Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is a form of Alzheimer’s that occurs in people younger than 65, often appearing between ages 30 and 60. It accounts for less than 10% of all Alzheimer’s cases and is marked by the same symptoms as late-onset Alzheimer’s, such as memory loss, confusion, and changes in thinking and behavior—but it happens much earlier in life.
Key Facts:
- Cause: While most cases have no known cause, a small percentage are genetic—called Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD)—caused by inherited mutations in one of three genes: APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2.
- Symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with planning or solving problems
- Confusion with time or place
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Changes in mood or personality
- Diagnosis: Involves a combination of medical history, cognitive tests, brain imaging, and sometimes genetic testing.
- Treatment: There is no cure, but medications and therapies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Sources:
- Alzheimer’s Association. “What Is Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?”
- National Institute on Aging (NIA). “Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease”
- Mayo Clinic. “Early-onset Alzheimer’s: When symptoms begin before age 65”