Judy Benjamin

He Calls Me “Patient Zero”

I was the very first patient of the research neurologist who helped Alzheimer’s survivors put the misery of the disease behind them, Dr. Dale Bredesen. He calls me “Patient Zero.”

And now, I’m on a new journey. I am walking across the United States from the Pacific to the Atlantic, from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida — over 180 days and 3,000 miles dedicated to bringing my personal life story to millions of Alzheimer’s sufferers and their supporters.

Thirteen years ago, I was there, too, where they are today. I lost my way whenever I drove. I couldn’t remember my own phone number. I stumbled whenever I tried to recall my grandchildren’s names. I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. All at a time when I had recently lost my mother, who died of Alzheimer’s after suffering for twenty years with the disease. I was devastated.

I had lost all hope.

Now, all that has changed. I have regained my mental faculties. And at age 81, I’m dedicating the rest of my life to helping others do the same.

To bring hope and awareness to the millions suffering from the disease in the U.S. today, I am walking across the USA. Yes, I was Patient Zero, and I will be forever grateful. But I want to soon introduce you to Patient One, Patient Two, Patient Three and many more, including those that have already demonstrated significant improvements in their cognitive abilities by participating in Dr. Bredesen’s ongoing clinical trials, approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).