Share or Print this page

Carol Wessels, Board, Advocacy, Walk, Cedarburg
 
“Our goal is to find a cure and we want to do everything we can on
federal and state levels to move that mission forward.”

 
Carol has been volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association for more than five years on the Board of Directors, Advocacy and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Carol has been an elder care attorney for over 30 years. Her first encounter with the Alzheimer’s Association was when she worked on a brief for the Helen E. F. Wisconsin Court case looking at Alzheimer’s as a mental issue. “During this case I was made aware of the Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report,” says Carol. “I quickly became aware of the impact that it had and realized the full scope – it was a national crisis.” She’s in her second term on the Board and says, “The work we do is so valuable. I’d be on the board forever if I could!”

Over the course of her career, Carol has worked with families who have had a loved one with Alzheimer’s and understands how to guide them through the issues in a legal sense. But she also has a personal connection, as her mother passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. “I understand the toll the disease can have on the caregiver’s,” says Carol. “My mother lived with us for a period of time. At the time I wasn’t aware of the breadth of services the Alzheimer’s Association provided. Now I promote the 800# and the free services to anyone who is on this journey.”

Public policy is a main area Carol focuses on as a part of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM). “We work on helping the public and legislators understand how laws and regulations can be used to help families of Alzheimer’s,” says Carol. “Our goal is to find a cure and we want to do everything we can on federal and state levels to move that mission forward.” Carol serves as an ambassador for Tammy Baldwin.

Carol is a past recipient of the Blair Cares Award. “I’m so grateful that Bonnie is using her influence to raise awareness of the need to provide services and support for those with Alzheimer’s,” says Carol. “It was a thrill to get the award, but there are many people who are working very hard and are very deserving of recognition and thanks.”  

Carol encourages others to volunteer. “The great thing is that you control the time and effort you spend,” says Carol. “You have the opportunity to do the things you are most comfortable with – if you’re a people-person, get involved in Advocacy, if you have personal experience you can help with a support group, or you can do things on the back end. It’s very rewarding to do your part.”