Sergeant's Work Family Goes To Bat For Alzheimer's

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- So often when you hear stories of heroes in action, it's about soldiers, police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line.

The story of one police officer who says the title hero belongs to the man he looks up to: a quiet man who demonstrates love and devotion every day in the face of a life-changing challenge.

Ruby Weiner walks. She paces. From sun up to sundown, she takes an endless shuffle through the house she shares with her husband of 45 years. It's never been clear where she's going, but her family can tell you where she's been.

"All I remember is mom and dad sacrificing the entire time to put the three of us through school to give us an opportunity and a chance and that's what they did," said Columbus police Sgt. Rich Weiner.

"She's just the best thing that ever happened to me as far as I'm concerned, and God put us together for this reason, maybe. I don't know," said Rich Weiner, the police officer's father. "But, I love her to death and I wouldn't do anything different."

Ruby has advanced Alzheimer's Disease. She was diagnosed at the age of 58 and since then, her husband has devoted his life to her care.

"I'm so proud of him. He talks about how proud of me he is. I'm proud of him. He continues to teach me and he doesn't even know it," Sgt. Weiner said.

Sgt. Weiner has a familiar face to Columbus TV viewers because he's the chief spokesman for the Columbus Division of Police.

But he is also a father, brother and son.

For five years, he and his family have watched their loving mother drift into the world of Alzheimer's Disease.

"You think they're going to have all these things that they can do together and all of a sudden, we get the diagnosis. I mean, 58 years old. That's not that old," Sgt. Weiner said.

"Truthfully, you are grieving. You're grieving and they're still alive. They're still here, but they're gone," said Kelli Lathem, Ruby's daughter. "I'd call her every day and we'd talk and that's the hardest thing. I just want to pick up the phone and I just want to talk to my mom."

Like the thousands of other Central Ohioans who are trying to deal with and manage the disease, the Weiner family felt overwhelmed and helpless.

They went looking for support.

"The Alzheimer's Association is fabulous. They came in here. They evaluated the home, they gave us things to change for her safety so she would not wander away," Kelli said.

The Alzheimer's Association also taught them about medical options and put them in contact with adult day care.

Now, it's time to give back.

Sgt. Weiner plays for the Columbus police baseball team. Each year the team plays a charity game and this year, they will do it big and they will do it for Alzheimer's.

Columbus is challenging the police team from Chicago and the proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association.

"It takes on a more personal feel to it, I guess, just because it does affect mom and it affects dad and they know family is real important to cops," Sgt. Weiner said.

He said his police officer family knows about sacrifice and they will hit the field knowing they are playing for Alzheimer's patients and caregivers.

"I look up to this guy. He doesn't even know. He continues to tell me how much he loves me. He tells all of us how much he loves us, how proud he is, but you know what it comes down to is we are so proud of him. Everything he is going through right now, the sacrifices he's going through. You know, he just loves mom and I wish I could be half the man he is," Sgt. Weiner said.

The family hopes their efforts can help raise awareness and money to support the search for a cure.

"Somebody is going to find something for all of these people who are struggling through this disease and whatever I can do to help make that happen, so that there are no other people in the world who have to lose their person," Kelli said.

"I don't want my worst enemy to have to deal with the loss of a parent, the loss of a loved one because … you're grieving now. You can see them. You just can't get in there and get into their world," said Shelli Koch, Ruby's daughter. "If it can help someone ten, 15 years down the road, if they can find a cure, if they can find some things that help, that's the most important thing."