Our park too Latino children are introduced to Grand Teton National Park through the Pura Vida program, 9B.
Obituaries: 17B
valley Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Far Afield
A downright pleasant evening of owling with friends, 2B.
Leslie Jorgensen helps her sister, RoLene Whittaker, back into her chair after changing her diaper in the basement of their home in Alpine. For more than two years, Jorgensen has been the primary care provider for Whittaker as her Alzheimer’s disease has worsened.
Slipping
away
Caregivers struggle as Alzheimer’s transforms their loved ones. Story by Taylor Williams Photographs by Travis J. Garner
T
he living room of Leslie Jorgensen’s basement in Alpine tells the story of how much her life has changed during the last five years. Sheets stapled to the doorways create the impression of a fully enclosed space. Locks bar the door that opens into the backyard. The sound of a river meandering through the nearby mountains is barely audible, replaced by television static. A rocking chair faces the TV, which was moved from its stand to the floor so the chair’s primary occupant, Leslie’s sister, RoLene Whittaker, wouldn’t knock it down. Pictures on the wall and curtains on the windows are scarce for the same reason. “She’ll hear noises, but she can’t really See SLIPPING on 12B
Before being diagnosed with dementia at age 55, Whittaker was an avid skydiver, with hundreds of jumps under her belt. This family photo captures a leap from a hot air balloon.