Thank You for Joining Me on This Journey!
Your support at the Alzheimer Calgary Walk & Run means the world to me! Together, we’re not just walking or running - we’re making a real difference for local families impacted by dementia.
By cheering me on, you’re also championing Alzheimer Calgary’s vital work, providing resources, education, and support to those who need it most.
Every step we take together shows that no one has to face a diagnosis alone. We’re proving that there’s strength in community and hope in action.
Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey!
A bitty on my world touched by Dementia.
First it was my dad who was diagnosed, suffered five years, before succumbing to the disease in 2020. When he passed, it was a true blessing, his suffering was over.
However, in the last year of my dad‘s life, we started to see my mom slipping. Although she is mild to moderate in her journey right now, she is in her third year of diagnosis and needs assistance in her daily life.
Lastly, the man of the hour, my brother-in-law, Milt, who was diagnosed quite young after a fall which set his dementia in motion. Milt’s journey has shown no mercy. Milt, rapidly continues to decline, yet his humour preservers. To this we are thankful, however, his daily struggles are real. In Milt’s mind, he just wants that in-depth conversation with you, but in reality, it is broken words that we often guess at what he is trying to say. He is a proud man who wants no help, but in every aspect of life, he requires some sort of help. Something we all take for granted; the simple task of knowing what utensil to use to eat with, a perfect example. Although it breaks my heart each time I am with my brother-in-law, I smile, I joke and I love him for who he is.
Through all the trials of dementia, I also want to tell you about the caregivers. As hard as it is on the affected individual, let me say, the caregivers are affected just as deeply. This disease takes away your loved one. Physically they reside, but cognitively, they don’t remember 2 minutes ago you said “I love you.” Your plans, your hopes, your dreams are changed. As the caregiver, you need to adjust, you need to be the flexible one, you need to know those hurtful words are not meant, but merely frustration that they cannot express their thoughts. You need to not hurt when they don’t remember you are their spouse, their child, their best friend. You are not alone, but you feel completely alone. Your loved one is dependant on you. Each day you hope the next day will show some reprieve, but it doesn’t. The struggles of a caregiver are as pertinent and as real as the struggles of the individual’s journey.
If you are, of have been effected by this disease, my heart is with you