Walk For Memories, Walk For The Future

Dementia is not an easy disease and there isn't much to celebrate when it comes to dementia.
And yet...yesterday's Walk For Memories in downtown Halifax, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, was a lot of fun. It was a celebration -- of love and care and encouragement, of family and friends, of memories, and of the changes that are happening already, finally, when it comes to changing people's perception of this disease and those who live with it.

This was my first year participating in the walk and although "Team Pachydermentia" (because elephants never forget!) was small, it was mighty! By the night before, we'd raised over $3,000 for the Alzheimer Society.
The biggest kudos go to my husband who is the king of asking and receiving. Of the four of us, he managed to raise over $1000, half of that on the day before the walk. No wonder we make such a good team! I come up with the (good) ideas and he makes them happen (in a big way).
We will participate again and again in this event and hopefully Team Pachydermentia will grow in numbers as the years go on.

Thank you to our friends and family and neighbours who were so generous. Your donation not only supports the programs and resources provided by the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia (including the very important InfoLine - 1-800-611-6345) but also my public speaking in an attempt to make this world dementia-friendly and people-centred.

My mother and I ready to head to Halifax for the Walk For Memories -- in memory of my father.

Celebrating our team's achievement with Dawn Boudrot, walk coordinator. 

Our team mascot, Peaches, meets "HaliDerby", the mascot for the Alz Society duck derby in Sept.

Almost halfway!

At the halfway mark, those who made online donations could send a message!
This one received from friend and neighbour Christina Martin whose song I use in my presentations.

This is Faye Forbes who is living very well with dementia, thank you very much,
and is an inspiration to all of us getting to know her. 

There is a light, you know. Christina Martin is so right. You see it in the faces of everyone who gathered at the Cunard Centre on Sunday, May 4 to raise money to support those living with dementia and those caring for them. The light is love and there was a whole lotta love on the Halifax waterfront yesterday.