News 9 Story Inspires Alzheimer's Advocacy

The morning of Feb. 13, Sherri Sharp was watching News 9 when she realized the report was more than something on TV. It was her life.

Sharp said earlier this month, she was watching a news report covering Alzheimer's Advocacy Day, when she said she felt it hit close to home.

RELATED: Oklahomans To Gather At The Capitol For Alzheimer's Advocacy Day

Sharp's mother, Cindy Burton, has Alzheimer's disease. Sharp said Burton was diagnosed in 2017, but the family noticed more than ten years earlier. 

Sharp said common outings with her mother became less frequent and it became increasingly difficult to care for her.

"It is impossible in this day and age, when you have to have two incomes to live off of," Burton's nurse Tessa Gregg said.

After talking with lawmakers, Sharp said she feels she's closer to creating state-level solutions to problems families of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's deal with.

"We got to feel like we had a voice for the first time in our 16 year journey," Sharp said after her visit to the state capitol. "Show the people who can make a difference what this looks like."