Welcome to my personal page!

Many of you are familiar with my ongoing efforts to support my husband as Alzheimer Disease relentlessly, and bit by bit, takes him away. It has been a long and difficult journey. But there are times of joyful connection which give me energy to carry on. And there are blessings along the way. The journey has changed me and helped me grow in ways I never expected. And this past year has been no different.

But things keep changing, and, as expected, Abe has continued to slip further and further from us.  At times it feels as if there’s not much we can do for him. He hardly seems to know when we are there, and yet, being there for him is still important.

It is important for me just to be there; to hold his hand, to put my arm around him, and to talk to him. These simple gestures seem to calm him. He hasn’t known who I am for years, and most of the time he doesn’t even seem to know I’m there. Yet, he seems to sense something. I believe that deep down his body remembers and feels my familiar and loving presence. This gives me great joy.

I often go at mealtimes to feed him; he still has a good appetite, and I think it helps the staff as well. And, perhaps most importantly, I am his voice. I seek to advocate for him as best I can to ensure he gets the kind of care and support I know he’d want.

And there are moments of joy: the days when he opens his eyes and seems to look at me, the times he smiles, and the times he seems to hug me back.  Also knowing others of you support me, that you visit Abe, and care for him in your own way, that too gives joy. It’s a special kind of joy that sustains me and gives me strength. It is such a blessing to have you travelling with me!

I am also so very  grateful for the staff at Taché (Actionmarguerite-St Soniface) Nursing Home. You are caring for Abe in ways I no longer can. What you do, day after day, for Abe is all important. Without you we could not cope. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I thank all of you who have read this far for your interest. Please consider making a donation to support my participation in the Walk. Doing so will help the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba to continue its important work towards a world without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. And it’ll let me know that you are “walking with me”.

Thank you so much for your kind and generous support.