Love in the Midst of Alzheimer's

Dr. Robertson and Muriel McQuilkin were thriving in life together. And then Muriel began forgetting things. Thus, began a harrowing – yet, triumphant – story of a love that endured the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. McQuilkin served for 22 years as President of Columbia International University before leaving that position to care for his wife, Muriel, for over a decade. Theirs is an amazing story of loyalty and devotion.

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Love in the Midst of Alzheimer’s,” we’re featuring the McQuilkin’s honest and compelling story of dedication in the midst of tragic illness that will inspire married couples to keep the vows they made to love “for better or for worse” and fill caregivers with encouragement and hope.

Through a series of personal stories and struggles, Dr. McQuilkin shares six things his wife Muriel taught him about love:

Love needs to be expressed passionately and frequently.
Love needs to be demonstrated.
Love is about partnership.
Love is about companionship.
Love is enduring.
The love Dr. McQuilkin felt for Muriel when she was unresponsive is a parallel to God’s love for His children.

Muriel passed away in September 2003, five months after Dr. McQuilkin gave the speech you’ll hear on our program. In a letter to their friends and supporters, he wrote:

“For 55 years, she was flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. So, it’s like a ripping of my flesh and deeper, my very bones. Some may think I feel relief from the burden. After all, it was 10 years of total care-giving. But it doesn’t work like that. There’s a bonding with the one who is totally dependent on you and takes love to a deeper level. The pain is greater, not less.”

Dr. McQuilkin and Muriel’s marriage reflected biblical self-sacrifice and a commitment that says, “I’m with you. Regardless.”

Tune in for Dr. McQuilkin’s recorded message on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

While you’re online, why not take a few moments to try our free Marriage Assessment online tool? It will help you quickly determine what’s working well in your relationship and identify areas where you may need some improvement.