June’s volunteer of the month is Tanisha Gupta. For this Texas volunteer, joining AFTD’s volunteer network offered a meaningful way to connect with others after her mom was diagnosed with bvFTD. Living far away from her family made navigating this experience much harder, but after attending a Virtual Meet & Greet for young adults, Tanisha decided she wanted to help others across the country who were experiencing similar challenges. “I came to recognize the value of having a group of confidants who deeply understand the struggles of being a child of someone living with FTD,” Tanisha shared.

Interested in offering a space for peer connection, Tanisha raised her hand and volunteered to establish a support group that addresses the specific needs of young adult children of parents living with FTD. She now assists in facilitating a national Zoom support group where young adults come to connect and receive support for their specific set of challenges.

Tanisha shares, “Our monthly meetings not only provide a much-needed emotional outlet, but also serve as an invaluable source of information from people who have learned to manage and cope with the same challenges I am currently facing. We truly do support and guide one another and being a part of this group has helped me immensely as I learn to deal with the realities of being a caregiver. Volunteering with AFTD has given me a sense of purpose in a situation over which I have little control, and for that I am immensely grateful!”

AFTD is grateful to Tanisha for her service and dedication to providing support to others on their FTD journey. If you’re interested in becoming a part of our national volunteer network, please visit our website to learn more, and fill out our volunteer form to get started!