Author Nancy Johnson, PT, with Patient

"With the extensive amyloid plaques on your brain, along with the results of the neuropsychological testing, it is clear that you have early-onset Alzheimer's disease."

With that one sentence, my life changed forever on July 17, 2013.

My career as a physical therapist (PT) began in 1985 at a hospital-based rehabilitation center. I focused on neurological rehab for patients with spinal cord injuries and stroke. One of my favorite memories with my young patients was ordering pizza for them and taking them to the top of the hospital so they could look out over the valley and get some fresh air. We then would have wheelchair races in the hallways (supervised, mind you) just to be silly. They needed an occasional break from their own reality.