Hailey Richman Is Changing the Lives of People With Alzheimer’s and Their Families

"Just Be Cause” is our interview series where celebs and influencers answer alternating questions about social change (“cause”) and about who they are as a person (“just because”).

When she was four years old, Hailey Richman knew she wanted to change the world. At the time, her grandmother had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive condition that severely affects memory and other mental functions. Hailey couldn’t find any resources that offered support for kids her age, so she made her own: Kid Caregivers, an online support group that helps young people cope and aims to enrich the lives of Alzheimer’s patients.

Now in sixth grade, Hailey, 12, has provided thousands of puzzles to Alzheimer’s patients and assisted living centers across the country. She’s a National Honoree for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a HASBRO Community Action Hero, and one of DoSomething’s 2019 Youth Empower Players. Her motto? “Just because you're a kid doesn't mean you can't do anything that adults can do.”

Get to know Hailey in our interview, then find out more about how to support Alzheimer’s research and donate puzzles to a senior living home near you.

DoSomething: What cause or organization are you most passionate about?

Hailey: I'm very passionate about the organization I founded, Kid Caregivers, which is an online support group. I'm very passionate about Cure Alzheimer's Fund, which is working very hard to maybe one day find a cure. I'm also very passionate about Puzzles To Remember, which I'm the associate director of, founded by Max Wallack. It gives puzzles to people who have Alzheimer's disease and the facilities they live in.

What song is guaranteed to make you dance?

Songs from The Greatest Showman and “Can't Stop the Feeling.”

What moment or experience made you want to change the world?

My grandma got Alzheimer's disease when I was four. I looked for support groups and there were none for kids. They were for adults, but kids were the group that was left out of this. So I said, “I'm gonna create something that will show that kids still have feelings and help the kids.”

What is the last show or movie (or movies) that you've binged?

Stranger Things. And Umbrella Academy.

Who or what gives you hope for the future?

People living with Alzheimer's disease and scientists who are finding new research. And the people that I just met today at DoSomething.org. They are making a difference in their communities and it gives me hope for the future because when we grow up, we're going to be the adults here.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I like to eat ice cream without my mom knowing sometimes.

What is something you do like for self-care?

I hug my animals. I love my cats and my dog.

What are three things you do on a perfect day?

I eat my ice cream. I see my grandma and we spend time together. And I make a difference, whether it's helping somebody carry groceries, maybe saving a seat for someone at my lunch table, or even getting up on the subway to let a pregnant woman sit down.

Who is your role model?

Definitely my mom because she's so empowering. And I'd have to say my grandma because she's the one who inspired me to create a support group and she's been so strong with everything. Even though she has Alzheimer's disease, I can see that she was such an empowering woman and she was a great mom to my mom.

What is your secret talent?

I can remember random things that people have said. I think I have a photographic memory.

What issue or cause should more people be talking about?

I think they should definitely be talking more about Alzheimer's. I'm not just saying it because I work with people with Alzheimer's, I'm saying it because not many people know what Alzheimer’s is. We need research, we need to learn because it's a disease that affects many people and it can ruin people's lives.

What fictional character are you most like?

Hermione Granger because she loves to read and I like to read. She seems very smart and I think I’m smart. I’d also say Supergirl because she loves to help people and she loves to make a difference whatever she can and that's what I want to do.

What young person or group of young people inspires you the most?

Probably everyone who tries to make a difference. Any kid who has the desire to make a difference, the desire to help someone. They inspire me so much.

What is your favorite meme?

That’s a hard question because I love so many memes. I like the memes I create myself.

What is something you read, watch, or listen to to feel inspired and empowered?

I love to read sci-fi novels because they have a problem, solution, and a hero most of the time. I also love to listen to The Greatest Showman because it's so empowering, the music. And I love to watch movies that have people who are making a difference. I like documentaries. I watched the documentary about pangolins. It’s a type of animal that's endangered.

Who or what is guaranteed to make you laugh?

My best friend, Katie. She's so funny and we always have a ball together. And my dad.

What is the biggest change you'd like to see in the world the next five years?

I would like to see more people making a difference in this world. More people believing in one another because sometimes I’ve met kids who would tell me off or would say, “You can't do anything because you're just a kid.” Isn't that what adults are supposed to say? Kids are supposed to encourage one another but not many kids know that they can make a difference which makes me really sad. I think that anybody, if they have the desire to do something can have the ability to do it.

What is your most overused emoji?

I like the cat with heart eyes emoji. I love it so much that I got a pillow, a keychain, and slippers. I try to use it for everything.

What advice would you give to young people who want to make a difference?

I would say you first need to desire. Then you need to think and brainstorm want to do, and then make it happen.

In three words, how are you feeling right now?

Awesome. Excited. Jubilant.