Terry Walter, an AFTD Ambassador in California and Nevada, has been a force for positive change and support since 2008, when she began volunteering for AFTD. Over the years she has organized golf tournaments, convened people affected by FTD through her Meet & Greet events, and raised funds for AFTD’s mission with her annual Food for Thought event.

In 2022, she took another significant step in strengthening her home state’s FTD community. That year, Ms. Walter established the Steven Walter Fund for Support in memory of her husband, who had FTD. The Fund provides financial assistance to California residents with FTD and their care partners through AFTD’s Comstock-subsidie program. Since its inception, more than 60 Californians have received Comstock grants from the Fund, each for up to $500.

There are three different types of Comstock Grants: Respite Grants, Quality of Life Grants, and Travel Grants.

Respijtsubsidies

Comstock Respite Grants help full-time, unpaid care partners attend to their emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Curtis, a California resident whose wife Kathy had FTD, has used Respite Grants to take care of his health amid his caregiving journey. “I got massages [with Respite Grant funds] while Kathy was still alive,” he said. “I made sure to continue getting my own support so I could be in good shape for Kathy.”

Julia, whose husband Marc is living with FTD, also used Respite Grant funds for self-care. “I use my grant for caregiving so I can go to the gym,” she said. “I don’t feel guilty taking advantage of it because I have to stay physically healthy [to care for Marc].”

Another care partner, Andrea, is juggling FTD care with the task of raising her teenage son. She has used her Respite Grant to allow herself to spend more time with him. Andrea told AFTD that Comstock Grants have allowed her to attend some of his activities or to go to a restaurant and share a meal — and quality time.

Subsidies voor kwaliteit van leven

Comstock Quality of Life Grants let people with FTD access any service or support that improves their overall well-being. For Kathy, that meant getting her hair and nails done to provide her with a semblance of normalcy and help her feel better about herself.

Julia and Marc used his grant to add some landscaping to their yard. “Marc likes to be outside,” Julia said. “He tours our property and looks at plants over and over throughout the day.”

Subsequent grants have allowed the couple to indulge in small pleasures despite the financial difficulties that FTD imposes. “So many parts of Marc’s life — the things he enjoys — have been taken away from him” because of FTD, she said “We enjoy going out to eat because he can still do that.”

Reisbeurzen

Comstock Travel Grants offset expenses to attend the annual AFTD Education Conference or another approved educational FTD event. The AFTD Education Conference offers an opportunity for people affected by FTD to connect with others who understand the journey, learn about available resources and supports, and engage with experts to gain insight into the latest in FTD research and approaches to care. (Visit AFTD’s website to learn more about the 2025 Education Conference, which will take place next May near Denver, Colo.)

AFTD thanks Ms. Walter for her long-term generosity and for her ongoing efforts to help Californians affected by FTD through the Steven Walter Fund for Support.

Comstock Grants are available to qualified individuals across the country who are affected by FTD. Learn more, and apply for a Comstock Grant, by visiting AFTD-website.