The 2012 Investors Group Walk for Memories in support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in Barriere will be on Sunday, January 29. Registration will be at the Seniors Hall with the doors opening at 10 a.m. There will be a short warm-up with the walk starting at 11 a.m. There will be both a short route and a long route, so that all can participate. Those unable to do the walk are still invited to join in the fun and come with their friends for the lunch and door prizes. There will also be three fantastic items raffled off at the event, so be sure to bring a few toonies to purchase raffle tickets.
Every year the Alzheimer Society of B.C. chooses a local individual or family that has been touched by this disease to be especially honored in each community's Walk. The 2012 Walk in Barriere is dedicated to Mackenzie (Mac) Livingstone and his family.
Mac who was born in Little Fort, was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's in early 2002, although there were signs noticed by his family that suggested he might have had the disease prior to this. His wife, Doreen, became his principal caregiver as this disease significantly changed their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren. With the support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., Doreen was able to provide care for him at home. "The information, support and counseling available from the Society allows caregivers to cope with issues as they develop and the disease progresses," she explained.
"The memories become so important," stated Donna Fennell, one of Mac's daughters. "I'd never know from one visit to the next how much he would remember, or if he would remember me at all. Luckily, dad did remember mom right up to the end, but then as his caregiver she was with him every day and I'm sure that helped. The Alzheimer Society was a great help; because of their efforts, so many more people are aware of this disease and how it affects families. Their website is great and contains a lot of information for those wanting to know more."
Some facts to know about this disease - every five minutes a Canadian is being told that they have Alzheimer's disease. Currently, more than 500,000 people are living with dementia in Canada, and this figure is set to double within one generation. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. provides support services to British Columbians at no cost.
Clearwater's Walk for Memories will be held at the Elks Hall on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon, with registration starting at 9:30 a.m.
- Barriere Star/Journal