In gratitude for extraordinary care and support…

Gary Clark was born (1952) and raised in Northport; he moved back to his hometown from California during the pandemic so that he could get medical help for his wife Merry, who had Lewy Body Dementia, a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function. It is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Below Clark shares his gratitude for the care his wife received while here.

My wife, Merry, began her journey with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) some 10 years ago. This cruel disease is gaining prominence as one that has no cure which everyone will hear about at an increasing rate. During our journey we were fortunate to receive some extraordinary care and support from many medical organizations and support groups.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the Stony Brook Health Group, the Reichert Family Caregiver Center at Huntington Hospital, Stony Brook Neurosciences Institute, Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center (LBDNY.org), Balanced Gait Physical Therapy, New York Speech Solutions and Visiting Nurse of Suffolk County.

When my wife fractured her tailbone, it was a result from a complication of Lewy Body Dementia. Meaning for a moment in time, she forgot how to turn her body and fell over herself. I wish to extend my appreciation and recognition of the teams at the Good Samaritan Hospital, from the emergency room [to] the incredible and caring staff of C South, the compassionate nurses, attentive aids, social services, maintenance group, transport group, chaplain, food service and the devoted and heartfelt orthopedic surgeons and neurologists for their care of my wife. 

Finally, I wish to thank the exceptional staff at the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice for guiding my wife and I through her final days at their beautiful and peaceful facility.

Thank you Long Island, and for the wonderful people who crossed our path.

Gary Clark
Northport