Samantha Walker, 45, from Wofford Heights, California, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s on April 3, 2025. She began noticing troubling signs like “forgetting entire conversations” and “losing words at an alarming rate.” Aware of her family history—her great-grandmother died from Alzheimer’s, and both her mother and grandmother had symptoms—Sam pushed for testing and received her diagnosis after a PET scan.

The diagnosis devastated her. “My doctor gave me literally no information… I was devastated,” she told UNILAD. What hit hardest was realizing her 17-year-old son would lose her too soon, and her partner would face the burden of caregiving.

Beyond the emotional pain, Sam was shocked by how people distanced themselves. “They’ve disappeared from my life or begun to treat me like a child,” she said. She stressed she’s still capable and pleaded, “Please don’t do that—we are still adults.”

Sam also found little support available. “Even virtually, I can’t find any support for me, only for my caregiver,” she shared. Now receiving biweekly treatments, she’s launched a GoFundMe for help with expenses. In her words: “Every dollar is truly a blessing… It’s all going to be ok one way or another.”