‘Team Harrelson’ helping Mets legend fight Alzheimer’s
NEW YORK — After studying that he had Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016, former Major League shortstop Bud Harrelson, finest identified for his 4 a long time as a Mets shortstop, third-base coach and supervisor, determined to go public about his sickness. He wished folks to know what he was going by and never really feel alone in the event that they, too, have been affected by the illness.
According the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.”
These days Harrelson, 78, is in an assisted residing facility on Long Island, which he has referred to as house since 2021. Harrelson can not do the little issues most individuals take as a right — he can’t put a sentence collectively or costume himself. He can’t be by himself for worry that he would possibly fall and damage himself, and he due to this fact has a companion with him 24 hours a day.
When he sees household, Harrelson doesn’t acknowledge them at first. It doesn’t assist that they’re required to put on masks at any time when they see him, however when family members deliver down their masks, Harrelson does notice who they’re and has a giant smile on his face. Harrelson also can maintain a ball in his proper hand as if he’s on the point of throw it.
“It says something about how deeply ingrained all the years of training and skills that go into making a Major League player, and, in Bud’s case, [it’s] one of the last things that has survived intact,” stated Kim Battaglia, Harrelson’s ex-wife and considered one of six folks [Harrelson’s five children are the others] who make selections on his behalf.
After he entered the ability, Harrelson’s household, affectionately referred to as Team Harrelson, have carried the baton for him within the combat towards Alzheimer’s Disease. In reality, with the assistance of the Alzheimer’s Association of Long Island, the Harrelson household is spreading consciousness in regards to the illness and serving to increase funds to assist discover a remedy.
This previous September, for instance, Battaglia participated within the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in North Babylon, N.Y. Team Harrelson raised $3,873 within the combat towards the illness.
Battaglia credit AALI for serving to the household perceive what Harrelson goes by.
“We have used their services. I have felt their support all along. I would be lost without it,” Battaglia stated.
Harrelson and Battaglia have been married for 34 years earlier than divorcing in 2010. Although she requested for the divorce, Battaglia’s love for Harrelson by no means wavered. After Harrelson was first recognized with the illness, son T.J. cared for his father. But Battaglia realized that her son, who additionally had a full-time job, was overwhelmed and she or he stepped in to assist.
“He is the kindest, most generous man I’ve ever known,” Battaglia stated about Harrelson. “I really like him utterly. When I noticed the extent of care Bud wanted, that’s after I determined to maneuver in. Yes, I nonetheless take care of Bud deeply. He would do the identical for me.
“Never once during the breakup of our marriage, there was never any unkind words between us. It was the most amicable separation of life and assets. We remained very good friends and very much a part of each other’s lives.”
