I’m not exactly sure when I first heard of B. Smith. It could have been when she was a cover girl for Ebony Magazine, or browsing my Auntie’s copy of her cookbook.
My aunt had visited DC and absolutely raved about her experience at B. Smith’s restaurant. You could call B. “the Black Martha Stewart.” Yet that ignores the fact that B. Smith was a household name in the Black community BEFORE Martha Stewart was.
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B. Smith put the FAB in Fabulous
I used to watch her cooking show where she shared her kitchen with many luminaries. Notable names including Gladys Night, Holly Robinson-Peete and opera diva Kathleen Battle. What struck me the most was not even the fantastic recipes, it was the way they’d fangirl over one another. Diva acknowledging diva.
And what a diva B. Smith was (and continues to be)– model, chef, entrepreneur, interior designer, lifestyle maven.
Can you imagine going to someone’s house, sitting on furniture they designed, eating gourmet meals they prepared? And all the while the person looks like they just stepped off the set of a photo shoot?! Not fair, right? But that was B., she put the FAB in fabulous.
B. Smith put the FAB in fabulous.
Alzheimer’s
But life sometimes takes a turn for the unexpected and the truly unfair. Her early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis hit me like a punch in the gut, and I’m just a fan who has never met her. I cannot imagine the toll it has taken on her friends, family and of course, B. herself.
B. Smith’s devoted husband of over 20 years, Dan Gasby, has been a tireless Alzheimer’s advocate and caregiver for his wife. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013. Their love story, which they say is based on “lust and trust” was chronicled in a book they co-authored, Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s. The book has been described as “gut wrenching,” “painful but honest” and a “must read for anyone with a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.” Dan reached out to The Awesome Muse to share their story.
Brain Health is the greatest 21st century civil rights issue
At a time when our country is poised to celebrate the remarkable life and civil rights legacy of the late Martin Luther King Jr., Today author and advocate Dan Gasby is joining forces with the American Brain Foundation (ABF) to raise awareness of the tremendous racial disparities that exist between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites when it comes to the diagnosis, treatment and lack of adequate studies of brain disease.
Brain Health is the greatest 21st century civil rights issue.
“Brain Health is the greatest 21st Century civil rights issue,” said Gasby. “When you lose your cognitive ability, your rights as a human being are greatly diminished.”
Gasby says this is particularly devastating for African Americans, who are twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to develop late onset Alzheimer’s. They are also less likely to have a diagnosis of their condition. This often results in little time for treatment and planning.
When you lose your cognitive ability, your rights as a human being are greatly diminished.
“From my experience as a caregiver, I know that brain disease robs sufferers of their dreams and ambitions and of their hopes and even their homes,” said Gasby. “Our brain health is often directly tied to our socioeconomic status. We need more funding, more awareness and more compassion for the more than 50 million Americans afflicted with brain diseases.”
It’s now time to defeat brain disease
Kevin Goodno, Board Chair of the ABF, a national charity whose mission is to bring researchers and donors together to defeat brain disease said Gasby’s election to the Board continues to diversify the organization which better positions the ABF to address the critical need for funding to accelerate research.
“Each of our Board members shares our organization’s collective passion to find a cure,” Goodno said. “Throughout our history, the American public has successfully rallied to beat back pervasive threats to our personal and public health, such as polio, cancer and HIV/AIDS. It’s now time to defeat brain disease.”
Gasby joins a distinguished ABF Board. It includes world-renowned neurologists, a former NFL Super Bowl champion, and Vice President Walter Mondale (Honorary Chair). The most recent member is Susan Schneider Williams, artist and widow of late actor and comedian Robin Williams.
About the American Brain Foundation
Happy Anniversary B. Smith and Dan Gasby!
We ❤️ Caregivers! pic.twitter.com/iW3O5c5N81— AARP Black Community (@AARPBlackCom) December 22, 2016
For more information about the American Brain Foundation or to learn more, visit www.AmericanBrainFoundation.org, or find the Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.
And if, like me, you are mildly obsessed with Dan and B’s love story, you can follow their joint page on facebook. They just celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary!!!
Mary says
I saw them on the Dr. Oz show. Amazing couple!
Michelle Young says
I loved that episode! You could totally see how devoted they are to another! Thanks for reading!
Reba Linker says
Wow! Thank you for introducing me to this gorgeous couple, Jennifer. What a moving story – I will be learning more about them!
Michelle Young says
Thanks so much for reading the article. And I need to thank Jennifer again for asking me to write it, she knows how much I love B.
Apolline Adiju says
Wow! This was very insightful and I have learnt alot from it. I must admit that I am new to this ( well I have heard about it but know no one living with it) Thier relationship and the way they deal with it is so sweet to read about.
Michelle Young says
Dan has been B.’s champion not just in their personal life but in his advocacy. Thanks fort taking the time to read the article.
Susan Mary Malone says
What a beautiful story, Michelle. Just warmed my heart. Having dealt with my father’s long road down dementia, I know what a difficult journey it is . Thank you for posting this!
Michelle Young says
I’m so happy you enjoyed the article, and caregivers rock! Your dad is lucky to have you.
Teresa Salhi says
What a beautiful story – thank you for sharing . I have become more aware of Alzheimers and brain health recently. It is heartbreaking to see it come about. Aging does not have to mean the loss of memory, brain health starts with all of us right now. I am currently ready a fabulous book by Dr Amen The Brain Warriors Way. Gosh, I have learned so much recently and am making changes in my own life right now to support my long term brain health.
Michelle Young says
Dan’s comments about brain health are so important for all of us to remember! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment on the article.
Meghan says
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are devastating to both the patient and his/her family. I once visited a famous Washington DC specialist/endocrinologist who explained to me that compared to other parts of the human body we know very little about the brain. Being curious about health issues, I often read about different modalities that they’re trying with Alzheimer’s patients. But, I know the progress can’t come soon enough since so many are afflicted with this heartbreaking disease. Dan Gasby sounds like a wonderful, supportive husband who is committed to fighting brain disease.
Lori English says
Thank You for sharing this life story and it was definitely touched my heart a beautiful couple and all they are going through. It is a beautiful story that always affects me as a clinician , but first as a human being who saw people in my family struggle hard with this , Thanks for keeping us aware of how we can help in maing changes in our own brain health.
Thank You,
Lori English
Michelle Young says
I merely wrote the introduction and background, all the really useful information in the article can from Dan. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Joan M Harrington says
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story and how important it is to have our brain health 🙂 Great post!
Michelle Young says
Thanks for reading! They are an amazing couple!
Beverley Golden says
A beautiful story of love and commitment! Thank you for sharing it, Jennifer. It is sad to me to hear that like in so many other areas of our society, there are marginalized groups when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of brain health issues. I often wonder what it will take for us a species to become more inclusive and to have an understanding that compassion and inclusion are actually human values! I appreciate that B. Smith and Dan Gasby are bringing this issue to light and that he is now in a place to help and hopefully create change.
Michelle Young says
Dan has been a tireless advocate for his wife and a true inspiration. Thank you for reading the article.
Christy Soukhamneut says
Such a beautiful love story. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s. My grandmother cared for him tirelessly. To keep his mind active she played games with him (word games, card games, etc.) To me it was the cruelest disease. He was physically healthy, but his mind was crumbling and he knew it, but didn’t always understand it. Thank you for sharing.
Michelle Young says
It is such a heartbreaking disease and it can test even the strongest of couples. Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for reading.
Tamuria says
What a beautiful story and wonderful to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s in this way. It is such a heartbreaking disease and I truly agree mental health has become a civil rights issue as those with illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s lose their ability to speak for themselves and make their own decisions.
Michelle Young says
Disparities in healthcare are already bad enough but when you have a patient with an inability to advocate for themselves it can turn into a real nightmare, so he is absolutely right about it being a civil right’s issue. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Crystal says
I’ve known of the B. Smith brand for years but never knew her story and certainly didn’t know of her memory struggles. What helpful information to share!
Michelle Young says
B. is a legend! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article.
Tandy Elisala says
Alzheimers and other forms of dementia are truly the saddest forms of disease we have. My dad suffered from Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of a severe accident. This caused similar symptoms to that of dementia. As a former family caregiver, I am so incredibly grateful for the loved ones suffering from this terrible disease who take care of their family. If you’ve never been through it, it’s impossible to truly and accurately describe. Thank you for raising awareness of this important issue and highlighting an amazing woman!
Michelle Young says
Thanks so much for reading the article. And we here at the Awesome Muse think caregivers rock! So hats off to you for taking on that responsibility.
Joyce Hansen says
It’s been noted for some time, the impact of Alzheimer’s disease will escalate significantly as world population ages and we are not prepared. There’s been more awareness and more research but we still have a long way to go. I urge everyone to understand what Alzheimer’s disease is and get support for family members and yourself early one. Thank you for sharing this touching story.
Michelle Young says
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. We hope that by raising awareness we can perhaps increase preparedness but it will take many of joining together to make it so.
Katarina Andersson says
A very interesting article…Alzheimer’s is a scary disease,…my grandmother was diagnosed with it many years ago. And it was long and tough… Good that B. Smith and her husband are writing about it and helping research etc.
Michelle Young says
You are so right Alzheimer’s is a very frightening disease. We hope the research that Dan and his group are doing will help demystify and treat the disease to help people like B. and your grandmother. Thanks so much for reading.
Zoey says
Alzheimer’s can be such a trying disease, especially on loved ones. It takes a strong person to stand by while someone they love mentally fades away.
Judy Thomas says
Thank you for sharing their story. It is a very scary disease.
kerona says
very great and eye opening post, thanks for sharing
Sue E says
I have had Chemo brain & a lot of meds like morphine and even being a Diabetic has made me forget a lot of things to the point of madness! If it wasn’t for my husband, like B’s husband, Dan, I would be further lost! My heart goes out to them!! I am sure B’s predicament is worse! My prayers are also with them!! Disease knows no color, religion, age or gender!!
Michelle Young says
Thanks for reading and commenting!You’re so right, brain disease knows no barriers so we all need love that knows no bounds. Good luck on your recovery!