topic Re: B. Smith found safe in Community Chat

B. Smith found safe

Say Nay — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:28:22 GMT

She was such an accomplished successful woman. Heartbreaking to see her going through this.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/11/26/famed-nyc-restaurateur-former-model-b-smith-is-missing/

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Celebrated New York restaurant owner and former model Barbara Smith, better known as B. Smith, was found Wednesday afternoon after going missing for 18 hours.

Smith, 65, was located at La Parisien restaurant on East 33rd Street in Manhattan, with blisters on her feet after a night of wandering through brutal weather, CBS 2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported.

Smith, who has Alzheimer’s disease, was last seen Tuesday afternoon. She boarded the Hampton jitney on 59th Street, while husband Dan Gasby waited in Sag Harbor, but she never arrived at their meeting point. He spent a frantic night and day on the phone with police amid reports of sightings in Southampton.

Gasby, who was informed by his daughter that Smith was in New York City, told Gusoff he was relieved his wife had been found.

“I am just so happy. I just want to hug her … want her back home,” Gasby said. “She has challenges, but she’s not the typical person that walks off. She’s never done that before.”

Smith’s family learned that she never made it to Long Island, as was initially intended. She got off a bus on 40th Street and then somehow got to Staten Island and then back to Manhattan. She has no memory of where she was, Gusoff reported.

At their Sag Harbor home, which is filled with photos documenting Smith’s trail-blazing career, Gasby was overcome with relief.

“I don’t know how she got back in the city, but she’s back in the city and that’s all that counts,” Gasby said, adding that Thursday will be the best Thanksgiving of his life.

The $60 Smith had with her was missing when she was found, Gusoff reported.

Smith discussed her disease with Dr. Jon LaPook in an interview that aired in June on CBS News Sunday Morning.

“Even with Alzheimer’s, I think that things are gonna work out,” Smith said in June. “I’m gonna do my best to make it work out for me, and for as many people that I can possibly help, too.”

In 1986, Smith opened a restaurant in New York City, others followed. She hosted a television program, and put her name on home products.

Re: B. Smith found safe

JustJazzmom — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:33:09 GMT

I heard this story last night on TV and asked myself- with a diagnosis like Alzheimer's why didn't someone accompany her on the bus so she could get to her destination safely?

Re: B. Smith found safe

sunala — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:33:27 GMT

I saw this on the news yesterday. I was so relieved to see that she was found safe. That interview with her from last June was just heartbreaking.

I'm so glad that she's got such a loving husband. She is going to need a lot of love and care as time goes by.

Re: B. Smith found safe

chickenbutt — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:34:11 GMT

I'm not familiar with them, but I'm sure glad she's safe.

What a stunning couple!

Re: B. Smith found safe

MickD — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:34:51 GMT

Well thank goodness....maybe now the family will realize that she has AD and not to leave her alone.....

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tansy — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:35:23 GMT

I'm glad she's home safe. The segment on Sunday Morning was heart wrenching.

Re: B. Smith found safe

bikerbabe — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:39:54 GMT

I wouldn't be too harsh on the family. It's quite possible that until this incident she has been able to be relatively independent. I do remember her and I remember watching her television show.

Re: B. Smith found safe

bikerbabe — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:40:53 GMT

Sorry. D/P.

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Shelbelle — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:43:46 GMT

I have seen her items ar BedBathBeyond, nice line of serving pieces, trays, etc. Very sad.

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shesallthat — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:54:34 GMT

omg! this is the first i have heard of it. i did not even know she had Alzheimer’s disease!!

i used to watch her show ""B.Smith with Style"" on the weekends years ago. long before all the DIY and decor channels came along! so sad.

Re: B. Smith found safe

sidsmom — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 21:07:38 GMT

OMG. This was sooo bittersweet. Thank goodness she was found but I, like many others, had no idea she was inflicted with Alzheimers. And @ such a young age. Beautiful, lovely lady. I remember watching her on TV. Wow. Thanks for sharing MT2D.

Re: B. Smith found safe

heartkeeper — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 21:34:00 GMT

I didn't know she has Alzheimer's. Thank God she was found safe.

Re: B. Smith found safe

Pqfan — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:24:02 GMT

I love B Smith! I didn't know this happened and I am so happy she is safe. She is such a lovely elegant lady. Many years ago I ate ate her restaurant and the food was so good. I also loved her tv show.

Re: B. Smith found safe

RedTop — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:44:29 GMT

Very glad this drama ended well, but I think it should be a wake up call for her family that she can no longer navigate on her own, regardless of how well she seems to do things.

Re: B. Smith found safe

millieshops — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 23:13:05 GMT

On 11/27/2014 JustJazzmom said:
I heard this story last night on TV and asked myself- with a diagnosis like Alzheimer's why didn't someone accompany her on the bus so she could get to her destination safely?

Having been through something similar in our own family, I know that one day the aberrations are small and not at all scary, the patient seemingly quite able to be independent. And then, for some there comes the day that without warning, nothing is the same as it was.

I do not judge her family. They had never seen this aspect of her disease, but now that they have, I think her future will be safer. The whole family now has entered the suffering Alzheimer's causes.

Re: B. Smith found safe

september — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 23:24:20 GMT

I absolutely agree with everyone who said her family can't be blamed. Alzheimer's Disease has 7 stages, and most people, until they get up to the later stages, can still get around on their own. They might make mistakes when writing out checks to pay the utility bill, not be able to recall a friend's name at first, or remember your birthday.

But when in a familiar environment, most can find their way around, buy their groceries, get to their appointments, etc.

What happened to this lady was unexpected....and a sign that she's moved into a later stage. I'm sure her family has a lot to deal with right now, and the last thing they need is blame.

Re: B. Smith found safe

brii — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 23:29:40 GMT

I was just thinking about her a couple of weeks ago. I hadnt heard about her in a long time. I always enjoyed watching her cook. I didn't know she had Alzheimer's. How frightening for her family. Thank God she was found safe. Very frightening.

Re: B. Smith found safe

KarenQVC — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 06:06:22 GMT

Even in the earliest stages, AD patients should have GPS units that are built into their shoes. But the saying is one wandering is the last wandering. She will need 24/7 care after this.

Re: B. Smith found safe

daisyk — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 11:18:19 GMT

I've always admired B. Smith. She has such grace in everything she does. I really enjoyed her show when it was on. It is sad that this is happening to her.

Re: B. Smith found safe

Big Sister — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 12:50:50 GMT

On 11/27/2014 bikerbabe said: I wouldn't be too harsh on the family. It's quite possible that until this incident she has been able to be relatively independent. I do remember her and I remember watching her television show.

bikerbabe, you are so right that until this incident it is possible that she was "relatively independent." I have been in the family's shoes and I didn't know until the first time my DH was not home when I arrived home. Talk about PANIC! I feel for her family.