Welcome to Colin's Memory Walk page! 

We are participating in this year's IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's to support families living with dementia in our community. Please help support our efforts by making a donation or joining our team. 

Please take a moment to read Colin's story. 

Colin was first diagnosed with Early onset dementia in June 2018, at the young age of 52 years old.  Colin was working at an assisted living facility where he worked as their maintenance manager. One day we received a letter from his employer asking us to get him checked. They started noticing signs that something was not right. After countless doctors appointments, it was confirmed that he did in fact have dementia. If it hadn’t been for his work writing to us,  we would not have caught it as quickly as we did. 

After Colin’s diagnosis, with the lingering thought on our minds. Unsure of how quickly this horrible disease would take over, and how much time we truly had left. We spent our days making new memories, reflecting on old memories, and spending as much time together as we could.

Dad was forced into early retirement upon his diagnosis. He spent his days continuing to do what he loved, working on his projects in his garage. As time went on, we started noticing his symptoms more and more. It became difficult for Colin to do basic tasks he once did without any issues. He slowly lost the ability to drive, cook, work on his projects, do basic chores, even watching TV became hard for him. Colin, being the positive guy he always was, never dwelled on his disease, even cracked jokes when he was struggling.  He always made sure his family was taken care of as long as he was able. Once he lost the ability to take care of himself and could no longer be alone, we knew the time we dreaded was coming fast.

Near the end of 2023, beginning of 2024 his symptoms became progressively worse. In June 2024 he was hospitalized. They told us that Colin most likely would not be coming home, and instead would be going into a nursing home. From there he spent from June 2024 to March 2025 in the hospital, while they waited for an available bed for him. While in the hospital, we watched our Dad/Husband go from an all around happy, and independent individual to a body with no emotions. It was heartbreaking watching him there. With no resources for dementia patients in the hospital, he was essentially locked down to his room in the hospital awaiting a bed in the care home. It truly changed him.

After a long awaiting move, Dad was transferred to his new care home. It was a huge relief on our family knowing he is getting the best care he can receive there. He went from a body, to our Dad/Husband again. He is really enjoying his time there, and we can’t thank the Nurses and Doctors enough for their compassion and dedication.   

By making a donation, you are helping the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba continue to provide valuable programs and services for families affected by dementia, while funding research to help find a cure. 

Currently, more than 20,300 Manitobans are diagnosed with dementia and 62 per cent are directly impacted by the disease.

Thank you again for your support.