COLUMBIA, Md. — You never know who you’ll run into in the Columbia Mall...like your future wife.
Steve met Shelette and said, 'Nice skirt, want to go to lunch at PF Changs?' He works fast.
A few years later he asked her another question, 'Will you marry me?' She said yes.
But after jumping the broomstick, no way did this couple think they would have to use the whiskers to brush the cob way of Alzheimer's away.
It started out with Steve having to use his GPS to runt o the store two blocks away. Then, this army veteran from Ft. Meade was a satellite engineer and that one day came.
Lets just say his signals crossed and he just couldn’t work the job anymore.
At the tender age of 55, Steve Owens was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's. His wife is his caregiver.
Instead of a honey do list, it is a do not list.
She tells him not to talk to strangers. Don’t turn on the stove. Don’t answer the door. Don’t click on emails.
Steve goes to day care everyday at Keswick and then comes home and goes up stairs to his room.
Some days are better than others.
They will be taking part in the Greater Baltimore Walk to end Alzheimer's on October 26 at Canton Waterfront Park.
Steve will also be the guest speaker at the 15th Annual Pythias A and Virginia I. Jones African American Community Forum on memory loss on November 2 at New Psalmist Baptist Church.
The number to register for both events is (800) 272-3900
