Sonja Jackson, 64

When were you diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?
In 2012, at the age of 62.

How did you react to the diagnosis?
I felt a kind of sadness and helplessness like no other time in my life. My brain plays such a large part of how I define myself intellectually. I was a dean of curriculum and instruction at City University of New York.

How did family and friends react?
My family and friends were very supportive. My partner, Evelyn, and my sons, Tunde and Jamal, are my emotional anchors.

What is your experience day today?
It's an ongoing struggle to deal with something that you can't just take a pill for. And I think for me and probably for others it can be a confidence breaker, so it's important to do the things I love to do and things that will help me. The only time that the magnitude of the illness kicks in is when I'm by myself. It slips in—the thought of what is going to happen in the future.

What has helped you deal with your condition?
The Alzheimer's Association support groups and some very wonderful family and dear friends have provided me with the desire to keep moving forward and not be soaked up by the emotional dread of this disease. And in doing this, I feel fortunate to be able to put a face to this disease—and also to do so as a person of color, as that is something that needs to be seen.