At age 67, Judy Benjamin was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—the same disease that claimed her mother’s life two decades earlier. Benjamin took an aggressive approach to try to slow her cognitive decline, and today, at age 80, she’s walking 3,000 miles across America to share her story and provide hope to other individuals and families facing her same diagnosis.
Xero Shoes, Benjamin’s sponsor for the trip, posted about the start of her journey earlier this week on Instagram. “At age 80, Judy is healthy, vital . . . and setting out on a 3,000 mile walk to share her story and to bring hope to others facing Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive decline,” XERO Shoes wrote in the Instagram post. “During the next six months, Judy is walking from the beaches of San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida. And she’ll be wearing #XeroShoes on her journey.”
Benjamin’s impressive journey from San Diego to St. Augustine will test her mental and physical fortitude, and it will also inspire every one she comes across. We wish her well!
Get to know Benjamin, the 80 year old walking across America, here:
Follow along with Benjamin’s incredible journey on her Instagram page.