Usually, when one is given a diagnosis of a chronic Disease, the side effects are not positive. Everyone's seen the list that goes on and on of what you might expect with any ailment or treatment. Carlen Maddux has written a poignant and moving book "A Path Revealed" about his family's struggle with his wife's Alzheimer's Disease. "Martha had served on the St. Petersburg City Council, run for the Florida Legislature, and was active in other civic and political affairs - all while being the mother of three," he states. With that lofty position came a lot of confidence. However, with her diagnosis in 1997, at the age of 50, came the loss of that confidence.

Martha had been a very active person, and when she was encouraged to take a water color class with her sister in law, Carlen was not sure this would be her thing. Surprisingly, she took to it with a vigor he had not seen in some time. Not only was she excited by it, but her confidence and enthusiasm returned. Not only that, she had talent! Her teacher, Judi, at the St. Petersburg Art Center, pulled Carlen aside one day and explained to him that what Martha was exhibiting "could not be taught."

Anyone who has experienced this disease understands that eventually the disease takes it's victims to a place we cannot go, and so to with Martha. After two years of painting, she faded into that place. "Martha painted scores of pictures large and small - turtles and fish in an orange-and-green sea; a multi-colored zebra; a blue-faced hippo walking atop an orange-and-yellow rainbow. You can see these and other paintings here. What a delight to see this talent unfold out of a dark and scary place. Most of all, it was a joy to see Martha's confidence surge."

A friend once told Carlen to look for the little things that emerge and to be thankful for them. "That was good advice, but it sure is hard to follow when you're deep in a crisis like Alzheimer's. Nonetheless, the memories of those two years of Martha and her art are warmly engraved in my heart."

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