On Oct 11th, my sister Jeannette and I will be taking part in the Calgary Alzheimer’s Walk in honor of our Dad, Sully (Jim/Jimmy).

Before Lewy Body Dementia became part of our family’s story, Dad had already lived a pretty incredible life.

He spent many years working as an Electrician for Suncor before retiring at 60 and making the most of the freedom that came with it. He travelled, golfed with his buddies overseas, spent time with his kids and became a bit of a professional couch surfer, staying with family whenever he was back in Canada and always enjoyed life on his own terms.

Dad loves his 3 kids and adores his grandchildren!

He loves a challenge, especially when it involves a round of golf with my brother.  He loves rock music and going to concerts, something unfortunately he can’t do anymore (I’ll always remember when he took me to my first AC/DC concert as a young kid, his favorite band). If there’s a sport on TV, Dad probably knows more about it than the people calling the game. Hockey, baseball, you name it.  He has been a HUGE Detroit Red Wings and Tigers fan ever since he was a kid, growing up on Prince Edward Island.

Today, at 77, Dad is living in memory care and is getting closer to needing long-term care.  LBD has changed so much of his life and ours. Some days are harder than others.  There are moments when the disease seems to take up so much space that it can be difficult to see the person underneath it.

But he is still our Dad.

My siblings and I have had to learn a lot about all of the different types of dementia and the many forms it can take. Until dementia touches your family, it’s pretty difficult to understand just how much it affects not only the person living with it every single day, but everyone who cares for him.

That is why my sister and I are walking.

We are walking to show up in any way that we still can. We are walking to support research, care, education and awareness. And we are walking for every family navigating the heartbreaking, exhausting and sometimes incredibly lonely road that comes with the disease.

On Oct 11 we walk for Dad ❤.

For who he was and for who he is now.

To anyone who is able to support our walk whether through donation, sharing this page or simply cheering us on..thank you! It truly means so much to our family and every contribution helps support this important cause.