As someone who loves routine, my weekly visits with my Buddy have become one of my most anticipated activities. For the past year, I have had the pleasure of getting to know my Buddy and am happy to say we have become quite good friends. I have gotten to know her very well over our time together and we have bonded over many things, ranging from our shared love of crafting to our interest in music.
One of the most memorable moments with my Buddy occurred whenever we were talking while The Sound of Music was playing in the background. The governess had begun to sing and my Buddy stopped talking to look up and watch the beautiful song. Within that moment, I realized that one of the most graceful, beautiful things about my Buddy is her continuous effort of living her life with both wonder and awe. She is always happy to talk about anything and anyone- which leaves room for both kindness and humor in our conversations.
Growing up in southern Illinois, my Buddy is quite familiar with St. Louis, and often tells of her youthful travels and adventures in the city. She speaks of her daughter and late husband from time to time and is always eager to tell me stories about them.
Alzheimer’s Buddies has been one of the greatest activities that I have pursued, as it has given me an outlet to form a true, genuine friendship with my Buddy- to which I am forever grateful.
- Ryleigh Hill
Ryleigh is a Sophomore and attends Washington University in St. Louis. She is majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology with a minor in Biomedical Physics in the hopes of attending medical school. She is currently a research assistant in the Cognitive Control and Aging Lab located at WashU, stylist and creative director at Armour magazine, and Rural Peer Ambassador for the university.
Growing up with a close great-grandmother who lived with Alzheimer’s Disease, Ryleigh experienced first-hand the effects that the disease can have on those who are living with it. She joined NAB on the belief that genuine relationships and friendships can make a large, positive impact on others’ lives, which she believes goes both ways, Buddy and volunteer, that is.
Ryleigh enjoys spending her free time sewing, designing, and learning new languages. She aspires to become a geriatric Neurologist in the future- on behalf of her great-grandmother.