Monday, May 12, 2025
54.7 F
Roseville

Double Amputee has Mom with Alzheimer’s

On Christmas Eve 1995, diabetic Dan Adragna was admitted to a clinic in Santa Cruz, California. Over the next few days, he would have double pneumonia, kidney failure, an emergency tracheotomy, and his heart would stop four times. After being in a coma seven weeks, he learned doctors had amputated both his legs mid-calf. Over time, he learned to walk using artificial legs while recuperating at his parents’ home.

Not long after, he was taking a college course in “abnormal psychology” and started noticing something wasn’t quite right with his mother.

“She liked taking hour-long walks,” said 56-year-old Adragna in a telephone interview. “Then her walks starting lasting 90 minutes and she’d explain it away as her taking a ‘detour.’ Then she began admitting she was getting lost. Then one day at the grocery store, she had to call home to say she couldn’t find her car. She was in tears.”

At first, Adragna’s family members attributed her behavior to age, but by 2000 a doctor had diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s disease. Seven years later, Adragna’s parents moved closer so he and his wife could help with care.

Today, his 78-year-old mom lives in a care facility. He said, “She has virtually no short-term memory and is almost nonverbal. It’s impossible to have a conversation with her. I can trigger maybe one word out of her when I’m there and maybe get her to smile, but only if I bring up something she thought was funny in the past.” His mother still walks unassisted and feeds herself with some prompting.

For work, Adragna is the Sacramento area director for Joni and Friends, a faith-based nonprofit helping families affected by disability. He gave advice to people whose parents have been recently diagnosed: “Be educated as much as possible about Alzheimers. For me, being educated helped remove the fear of the unknown and helped me know what to expect. Also be sure to visit with the (affected) person the first few years after diagnosis much as possible while that person is still aware and can have a conversation. One thing my mother really enjoyed was looking at old photographs and we cherished those times.”

As for his faith, he said, “It gives me an eternal perspective because I know I’ll be seeing my mother again (after she dies). That has helped me have an unexplained calm and peace.”



Sphere Las Vegas

Festival! May 16 -18

Support local sports!

Trending

Midas / SpeeDee Oil Change in Roseville

Your Roseville Midas dealer on Foothills Boulevard is the place to go for brakes, oil change, tires and all your auto repair needs

Fat’s Asia Bistro in Roseville

Modern Asian cuisine meets timeless tradition. The premier spot for Chinese and Asian fusion in Roseville and Folsom. Great for happy hour, dinner, date night.

Squeeze Burger in Roseville

Squeeze Burger Roseville, home of the Famous Squeeze With Cheese. Formerly Squeeze Inn, we offer the #1 Burger in the Sacramento area.

Subaru Outback still delivering dependability

Roseville, Calif. - Despite having a wagon-like body style, for years the Subaru Outback was classified as a midsize SUV.

Peet’s Coffee locations in Roseville

Since 1966, Peet's Coffee has sourced and offered superior coffees and teas adhered to strict high-quality and taste standards.

Topics

Midas / SpeeDee Oil Change in Roseville

Your Roseville Midas dealer on Foothills Boulevard is the place to go for brakes, oil change, tires and all your auto repair needs

Fat’s Asia Bistro in Roseville

Modern Asian cuisine meets timeless tradition. The premier spot for Chinese and Asian fusion in Roseville and Folsom. Great for happy hour, dinner, date night.

Squeeze Burger in Roseville

Squeeze Burger Roseville, home of the Famous Squeeze With Cheese. Formerly Squeeze Inn, we offer the #1 Burger in the Sacramento area.

Subaru Outback still delivering dependability

Roseville, Calif. - Despite having a wagon-like body style, for years the Subaru Outback was classified as a midsize SUV.

Peet’s Coffee locations in Roseville

Since 1966, Peet's Coffee has sourced and offered superior coffees and teas adhered to strict high-quality and taste standards.

Hormones: The Key to Dropping Excess Weight

Sacramento, Calif.- When it comes to improving body composition and achieving optimal health, balancing your hormones is essential for both short- and long-term success. There are seven major hormones that

Roseville Quilt Guild 2025 show at Jessup University in Rocklin

Roseville, Calif.- Welcome to the Roseville Quilt Guild 2025 Quilt Show! Join us May 9 & 10, 2025 for a day filled with beautiful quilts and creativity at Jessup University in Rocklin.

RCSDF Golf Tournament in Roseville tees off to support student education

Roseville, Calif. - The Roseville City School District Foundation (RCSDF) invites the community to its 4th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the scenic Sierra View Country Club.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.

Making a Splash in Roseville at Steve Wallen Swim School

Roseville, Calif. - Steve Wallen Swim School in Roseville teaches swim lessons and water safety for infants, kids, and adults of all skill levels.