LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be scary for everyone involved. However, one Elizabethtown man with an infectiously positive attitude is not only working to help raise awareness and funds for research, he’s advocating for others while facing his own fight against the disease.

Jon Urey was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s during the pandemic. He’s only 66-years-old. Both his dad and uncle developed the disease at an unusually young age, too.

Knowing that, his wife, Laura Urey, began noticing symptoms a few years ago.

“He’s always had a little bit of difficulty with losing things and misplacing things,” Laura explained, adding that it’s been exacerbated by the disease, “But it seemed like his memory was being affected.”

Jon’s spatial awareness has also been affected in the early stages of the disease, so he can no longer drive. He said that’s been one of his biggest challenges thusfar.

Jon and Laura are raising their 10-year-old grandson, AJ Hall. He worries about what’s coming with his Papa’s diagnosis.

“That gets me really scared because I just want him to be able to remember who I am. And I’m hoping it doesn’t get that bad, but if it does, then I don’t know what I’m going to do, because I want my papa to be around,” AJ said, holding back tears.

Jon is doing his best to reassure everyone in the family he’s putting up a fight.

“I still want to think I have a lot of life to live,” Jon said. “And it’s going to be different. I mean, I could not have anticipated or planned on it, but I’m trying to stay very determined and on track, too. It’s going to be good.”

Jon spent nearly four decades working in clinical psychology. The now-retired psychologist hopes he can help improve Alzheimer’s research. He’s keeping a written record of his experience with the disease, and he’s also offering to take part in any studies available.

“I’ve made it clear at UofL that I would be happy to do that, and I say, ‘Look, I’ll do anything, because one, if it doesn’t help me, it could help a lot of other people, but, two, it very well could help me,’” he chuckled. “So, why not?”

Jon recently got to speak at an Alzheimer’s Association fundraising event. He and Laura have also appealed to state lawmakers and even met with Senator Mitch McConnell’s office.

Right now, Jon is treating his symptoms with a couple of medications, but they only slow down the progression of memory loss. He wants to do whatever he can to help raise money and awareness that could lead to a cure.

“There are so many people all over the world working toward a cure for this,” he said. “Someone’s got to hit the button, you know? Maybe it’ll be five years from now, and that’s too late—maybe it’ll be six months from now.”

Jon and his family also attend a support group through the Greater Kentucky & Southern Indiana Alzheimer’s Association. He and Laura hope their outspokenness will draw attention to the support and resources the association provides to families like theirs.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. During this time, advocates work to raise more awareness about the disease and show support for those living with all forms of dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 75,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia in Kentucky. For those people, the association estimates there are 150,000 unpaid family caregivers. However, the association says both numbers are likely much higher, because Alzheimer’s and dementia are under-reported and underdiagnosed.

The Greater Kentucky & Southern Indiana Alzheimer’s Association offers support for families in need of programming and resources year around. Opportunities to give and advocate are also available.