Painting Edmond Purple

If you find yourself driving down Broadway in June, don’t be surprised when it’s purple. This awareness initiative from the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association started – as most good stories do – with a boy and girl who fell in love. 

“I was working a summer job for a man who wasn’t fond of the guy his daughter was dating,” Edmond resident Herb Magley explained. “He invited me over for dinner one night, and after we ate, the entire family mysteriously disappeared, leaving me alone and a little bit awkward with his very pretty daughter.” 

Picking up on the hint, Herb asked Gail on a date. A few years later, she said, ‘I do.’ 

“It was a wonderful relationship to be in,” Herb said. “We got along well together. We were best friends.” And that was how they spent over four decades of marriage until death parted them in 2015 when Gail passed from the complications of Alzheimer’s. 

The first signs were subtle. She was an avid speed-reader and would go through two or three books every week for thirty-five years.” That is, until one day she didn’t. 

After witnessing Gail’s father go through similar stages in his journey with Alzheimer’s, the couple decided to schedule an appointment with their family care doctor. The symptoms were dismissed as regular signs of aging. Unsatisfied with that response, Herb became both husband and advocate, requesting that Gail be referred to a neurologist. 

After two years of exploring every possible option with overlapping symptoms, Gail was diagnosed as one of the 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. Herb eventually retired to become Gail’s full-time caregiver – and comedian. 

“If I could get her to laugh or roll her eyes at me, it would bring things back to the good times,” Herb said. Humor was a huge part of getting through it.” Though Herb maintained his humor, he could not avoid the harsh realities that caregivers face. 

Thankfully, Herb found the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and signed himself and Gail up for support groups. “At first, she hated it. But eventually she realized it was her safe space and she wanted to go every night.” The support group’s impact on Herb was equally profound. “It saved my life.” 

Now a board member for the Oklahoma Chapter, Herb facilitates six support groups, totaling nine meetings per month. “A lot of people try to hide from the disease. They want to deny it,” he said. “I did, too. But getting involved early and often is important.” 

“This will be our second year to paint downtown Edmond purple,” Herb said. “We will deck out downtown with purple mylar balloons, pinwheels, and lights. Last year Herb dressed as a taco, a bronco, and a beer – all to raise awareness. We’re also putting old-school cast-iron piggy banks in many of the businesses as a fun way for people to donate their change to the cause.” 

But Herb says fundraising isn’t the focus of this event. “We will have a table packed with information and volunteers that will move around downtown Edmond to connect with as many people as possible.” 

Herb thanks the Edmond Business Association for supporting this event which was intentionally set for June 16-21. “We chose the week with the longest day of the year, because for caregivers, every day can feel like the longest.” 

Those looking to find support or offer it, please visit alz.org. 

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