In Grace's Honor | Trish Vradenburg Wrote a Play Inspired by Her Mother's Struggle with Memory Loss

 "My mother, Bea Lerner, was a powerhouse. Politics was her passion. Back in 1960, John F. Kennedy credited her with winning New Jersey -- a pivotal state -- for his election. As a result, she earned a spot on Nixon's infamous "Enemies List." She wore this badge proudly. In 1987 my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I was sure she could beat it. After all, she won every battle she ever fought...but she was no match for Alzheimer's. No one is. In 1992, this valiant lioness of a woman finally disappeared into the unforgiving chasm of Alzheimer's.

But I couldn't let this disease have the final word. So I wrote a play called "Surviving Grace" about a mother and her sitcom writer daughter's ordeal (a polite word) with Alzheimer's. Much like our personal battle, Grace is caught in Alzheimer's inescapable web. And much like our relationship, my play is laced with humor because that's how we got through life."



In Grace's Honor | Trish Vradenburg